BMW, Volkswagen Team With ChargePoint For Bi-Coastal Network
More charging stations are on the way for EV owners, thanks to a new partnership between BMW, Volkswagen and ChargePoint.
Volvo Considers Expanding Cross Country Range
The V40, V60 and upcoming S60 Cross Country models won’t be alone for too long, as Volvo plans to expand the Cross Country range.
Cadillac Gaining 700 Boutiques To Augment Flagship Stores
Want to go boutiquing for your next Cadillac? Brand CEO Johan de Nysschen has plans to make that a reality.
GM Compensation Fund Deems 49 Fatality Claims Eligible For Payout
Monday, the compensation fund created by General Motors in the wake of the February 2014 ignition recall announced that 49 deaths thus far would receive compensation.
Manley: 2017 Jeep Wrangler Could Be A Hybrid
Are you ready for a hybrid Jeep Wrangler? The 2017 model may likely be just that to help the icon navigate through tighter fuel economy standards.
Toyota Increasing Crossover, SUV Production To Meet US Demand
With U.S. demand for its crossovers and SUVs expected to increase in 2015, Toyota is responding in kind by increasing production at home and in Canada.
Repair Estimates For Tesla Model S Higher At Certified Shops
No matter how minor or major an accident, Tesla Model S owners and their insurers will feel the financial pain from Tesla’s certified shops.
Manley: Jeep Wrangler Truck Perfect For Brand, Business Case Not There
The B&B’s only bet for buying a Jeep Wrangler pickup at the moment is to buy a Wrangler, then send it to a third-party for conversion. CEO Mike Manley says he’d love to have such a beast in his brand’s portfolio, as well, but there’s a hitch.
NAIAS 2015: BMW May Introduce AWD to M Division, No M Supercar In Future
With Mercedes-AMG models delivering their power to the road through all four wheels, BMW is considering doing the same for most of its M division. However, if anyone was hoping the Bavarians would also bring back the M1, you can breathe now.
European Prices For 2015 Ford Mustang Revealed
Europeans who are itching to saddle up the new 2015 Ford Mustang now know how much the price of admission will be to do so, and it’s quite the pretty penny.
Dodge Unveils 1-of-1 Program For New Viper Owners
Is the standard color palette for the 2015 Dodge Viper not enough for you? Have you looked at your child’s Twilight Sparkle and Sonata Dusk brushables and thought to yourself, ‘Those hair colors might look good on on a Viper’? Dodge has a program just for you.
Owner-Built Engine Program For Corvette Z06 Returns
Buying a new Corvette Z06 soon? Would you like to build its engine? Chevrolet has a plan to make that happen, if you got the cash and the time.
Benson: Ram ProMaster City Portfolio Could Expand Via Demand
Right now, one can pick up a new Ram ProMaster City for catering tacos and installing cable down Flower Shop Lane. If that’s not enough, however, Ram might soon have a few more tricks up its sleeve.
Uber CEO Indicted By South Korea For Violating Transportation Law
Uber CEO Travis Kalanick has been indicted in South Korea alongside the local branch of the California-based transportation network company for violating the nation’s prohibition on non-licensed livery drivers.
New Tesla Roadster Upgrade Promises 400-Mile Range
Still have a Tesla Roadster in your garage? Merry Christmas: You now have a 400-mile range EV, courtesy of CEO Elon Musk.
GM Compensation Fund Adds 104 Claims For Review
Another 104 claims have been added to the pile for examination by Kenneth Feinberg and his staff, who are overseeing the victim compensation fund established by General Motors as a result of the February 2014 ignition switch recall.
113th US Congress Leaves $8K Hydrogen Credit On The Table
For the few who will be purchasing a Toyota Mirai in 2015, you may be out of luck as far as tax savings are concerned. For now, anyway.
Subaru Considering Smaller Engines, Phasing Out Six-Cylinder Units
Say farewell to the Subaru 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer, as the automaker is considering smaller engines with turbos, among other options.
Tesla Opens Battery Swap Pilot Program In California
It’s official: As of this week, select Tesla Model S owners will be able to swap battery packs in a pilot program along the route between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
New Startup Zirx Provides Concierge Services For Drivers
This Saturday will be one of the most brutal shopping days of the year, as everyone will be trying to find that last-minute Christmas gift for their loved ones. The last thing anyone needs is to try to figure out where to park, wasting precious shopping minutes while circling the lot in their mythical brown diesel manual RWD wagon.
For those in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle, there is a solution.
Baidu Buys Major Stake In Uber
Chinese Internet overlord Baidu is buying a major stake into everyone’s favorite transportation network company, Uber.
100 Fatality, Injury Claims Approved For GM Compensation Fund Payments
It’s been a while since the TTAC Zaibatsu checked in on the victim compensation fund created by General Motors and overseen by the office of attorney Kenneth Feinberg. How have things gone since the last time?
One hundred fatality and injury claims have been approved.
NHTSA Ready To Force Nationwide Takata Airbag Recall
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is ready to force Takata and three of its clients into a nationwide recall over the catastrophic failure of the supplier’s airbags.
Volvo Entering Digital Sales, Limiting Show Appearances
Volvo may not be ready to directly sell its models to the public in the same way Tesla does, but the automaker is ready for online orders.
Trucks, SUVs Best Premium Sedans In Over $50K US Segment
Keep those Benzes, BMWs and Audis in the garage, son: $50,000-plus trucks and SUVs are where it’s at for the ballers and players these days.
Richardville: Michigan Doesn't Allow 'Predatory Lending'
Michigan Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville of Monroe, the senator behind the bill that would allow auto title loan companies to do an end-run around the state’s title loan ban by posing as pawnbrokers, proclaimed the 276-percent interest loans the title companies would provide consumers weren’t predatory.
Iowa DOT Introducing Driver's License App In 2015
Live and drive in Iowa? The state’s DOT will soon have an app that will act as your license.
Ford Kills MyFordTouch, Introduces SYNC 3 Connected-Vehicle System
Joy to the world, MyFordTouch is dead. In its place, Ford introduced Thursday its new SYNC 3 connected-vehicle system.
Mobius Leads Path Toward Local Manufacturing For African Consumers
Today, 50 units from Nairobi-based manufacturer Mobius are set to be delivered to customers, marking the first step for the company as it aims to prove Kenya — and the continent of Africa — can produce just as well as it supplies raw materials.
Trade Group: CFPB Non-Bank Oversight Threshold 'Too Low'
A trade group representing lenders is finding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s proposal to regulate non-bank auto lenders too much to bear.
Michigan Bills Could Open Door To Auto Title Lenders
Auto title lenders, whose practices are aligned with those dealing in payday loans, furniture leases, and cheaply made wheel-and-tire rentals, may soon be able to profit off of Michigan consumers should a bill in the state senate be passed.
Takata Lost Value Suits On Hold Pending Judicial Panel
Consumers looking to file a lawsuit against Takata over its defective airbags may be waiting a little while longer to do so.
Toyota Increasing Mirai Production To Meet Strengthening Demand
Its looks leave the B&B cold, and is powered by a fuel whose infrastructure leaves a lot to be desired. So, how popular could the Toyota Mirai possibly be? Better than you’d expect.
GM Replacing Keys In 2014-15 Trucks, SUVs Due To Ignition Issues
Own a new Chevrolet or GMC truck? You might be getting a new set of keys.
Shimizu: Takata Hasn't Found The Cause Of Airbag Failures
Takata has yet to find the root cause of the defect affecting its airbags; Autoliv will supply replacements to Honda; and Toyota, Mazda and Chrysler are expanding their recalls.
T&E: European Test Cycle 'Not Fit For Purpose'
The European test cycle for fuel economy and emissions may need to be taken out back, based on findings by policy group Transport and Environment.
Aluminum Mainstreaming May Mean More Dent & Ding Policies
Planning to buy a new 2015 Ford F-150 soon? You might be purchasing a dent-and-ding policy for your ride, too.
Takata Faces Forced Recall After Defying NHTSA Order
Hours after Takata informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it would not comply with the order to conduct a nationwide airbag recall in the United States, the agency took the supplier to task during Wednesday’s congressional hearing over the matter.
Lyft, Uber Et Al Impact US Medallion Market
Transportation network companies like Lyft and Uber are making an impact on the United States livery market, particularly in cities where medallions are sold.
Takata Refuses NHTSA Call For Nationwide Airbag Recall
Takata won’t be conducting a nationwide recall of its defective airbags anytime soon, but did hire three former U.S. Transportation Secretaries to help the supplier manage the crisis. Meanwhile, an airbag in an non-recalled model explodes in a Japanese junkyard; the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration won’t push for a nationwide passenger airbag recall; and Toyota and Honda both call for an industry review of Takata’s wares.
NHTSA: GM Has Enough Parts To Repair All Affected By February 2014 Ignition Recall
Do you or yours happen to own one of the models affected by the February 2014 General Motors ignition switch recall? The automaker finally has a replacement ready at your convenience.
Hearings, Recalls Et Al Darken Takata's Doorstep
Takata and those associated with its airbag recall crisis are heading back into the fire this week, one that could grow into a firestorm soon enough.
Fuel Prices To Hit $2.55 By Christmas With Help From OPEC
Is your wallet feeling heavier these days, despite all of the blackened Thanksgivings and cybernetic Mondays meant to liberate you from your money? It’s about to become more so, thanks to an early Christmas present from OPEC.
Toyota: Don't Drink The (Mirai's) Water
Want to literally taste the future? Toyota would like for you to reconsider that notion.
Swearingen: No Evos Planned After X, GSR 5-Speed Coming Summer 2015
Bad news: Mitsubishi’s storied Lancer Evolution will stop at 10 after the 2015 model year. Good news: It will go out with a bang.
NHTSA Orders Takata To Recall Airbags By December 2
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is ordering Takata to conduct a nationwide recall of its airbags, while Honda was found to have issued Takata-related recalls as early as 2002.
Tesla: New Model X Orders To Be Fulfilled 'Well Into 2016'
Planning to order a Model X before doing battle on Black Thanksgiving? You may be waiting until Black Thanksgiving 2016 before yours arrives in the driveway, red bow attached.
EFF: ECU Modification May Result In DMCA Notice
Planning to work on your new car? Pray you don’t receive a DMCA notice upon opening the hood.
Honda Admits Underreporting US Death, Injury Claims Since 2003
Due to its narrow interpretation of the TREAD Act, Honda admitted to underreporting the number of claims linked to injuries and/or deaths caused by safety issues in its products since 2003.
Supply Issues Slow Takata Airbag Recall Action
Even if the federal government compels every automaker that uses Takata’s airbags to enter into a nationwide recall order, and even if Honda got its wish by having the government mandate every owner affected to bring their vehicles in for repair, fixing the mess created by the supplier could take as long as two years or more.
Honda Calls For Compliance From Consumers Regarding Recalls
Just as the federal government wants Honda and Takata to fix the airbags in the former’s vehicles, Honda would like consumers to bring in said vehicles for repair.
Even if it means involving the government.
US Data Privacy Guidelines Not Compatible With Euro Privacy Laws
Just as with emissions and headlamps, standards recently adopted in the United States regarding consumer data and privacy won’t be compatible elsewhere, specifically in Europe.
NHTSA, USDOT Demand National Recall Action From Takata, Automakers
While we were looking over the latest and greatest from the 2014 LA Auto Show, the Takata band played on.
Grand Cherokee, Durango Going Grayscale Until February 2015
Were you hoping to have a red Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT or Dodge Durango Ron Burgundy Edition in your driveway in time for Christmas? You may have to try your luck on the lot, as new orders will be painted black, white, gray and silver all over for the next few months.
Accuracy Issues Real Reason For Free Hydrogen For FCV Owners
Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell owners will be able to refuel their new FCVs for free for three years, but only because it’s hard to put a price on hydrogen.
Honda To Replace Takata Airbags Nationwide If Consumers Complain
Worried that the airbag in your Honda may shred your face instead of saving it? Complain loud enough, and the automaker will replace the unit in question.
GM Victim Compensation Program Deadline Extended
The victims and families affected by the February 2014 General Motors ignition switch recall can breathe a little easier, as the deadline to file a claim with the victim compensation program administered by attorney Kenneth Feinberg has been extended.
Expanding Portfolios Overwhelm Automakers, Consumers Alike
Tesla Fights Georgia Dealers Over Direct Sales Model
Tesla’s ongoing battle to directly sell its wares to the public has come to Georgia, where the automaker is asking for a dismissal of a petition by the state’s dealer association seeking to ban Tesla from conducting such sales.
Mercedes-Benz Tops In J.D. Power Satisfaction Survey
Another day, another customer survey. This time, it’s J.D. Power with its annual Sales Satisfaction Index Study, with those surveyed placing Mercedes-Benz at the top of the podium.
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