Toyota: Don't Drink The (Mirai's) Water
Want to literally taste the future? Toyota would like for you to reconsider that notion.

Toyota Recalls 57K Over Takata Airbags
Toyota issued Thursday a global recall of 57,000 vehicles affected by the Takata airbag crisis.

Texas Woman Exonerated Due To GM Ignition Switch Recall
A Texas woman was exonerated when a seven-year-old negligent homicide conviction was overturned due to evidence linking the conviction to the February 2014 General Motors ignition switch recall.

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.

Arizona AG Files $3B Lawsuit Against GM Over Ignition Recall
Going its own way, Arizona has filed a $3 billion lawsuit against General Motors over the February 2014 ignition switch recall.

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.

DeGiorgio: 'I Did What I Was Supposed To Do'
Since being dismissed from General Motors in June of 2014, the engineer cited by the Valukas report as the main culprit behind what would lead to the February 2014 ignition switch recall crisis had been in seclusion. Until now.

FCA CEO Ordered To Give Deposition In Jeep-Related Lawsuit
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne has been ordered by a Georgia judge to give a deposition as part of a lawsuit made against his company by a family whose son was killed in a rear-end crash involving a Jeep.

Takata Airbag Propellant Revised, Composition Unknown
The original airbag propellant recipe used by Takata in the modules at the center of the supplier’s recall crisis has been changed, according to an anonymous company official.

GM Discloses More Fatalities, Faces Questions Amid Email Revelation
General Motors disclosed more deaths linked to the February 2014 ignition switch recall in its quarterly report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but more headaches await the automaker as the spotlight focuses on CEO Mary Barra’s actual role in the recall in the first place.

GM Parts Order Center Of New Evidence Surrounding Ignition Recall
Just when you thought the meat of the story had long since been consumed, a lovely roast was just delivered courtesy of an email chain between General Motors and Delphi regarding a large order of parts months ahead of the February 2014 ignition switch recall.

Report: Mercedes-Benz Biggest Manipulator Of Euro Fuel-Efficiency Test Results
The oft-maligned European fuel-efficiency testing cycle have produced a few manipulators, per green lobby group Transport & Environment, with Mercedes-Benz as the biggest offender.

Takata Issues Newer, Wider Annual Loss Forecast For FY 2014
The hits keep coming for Takata as its airbag debacle moves forward, this time with announcement that its annual loss forecast will grow wider than previously stated.

First GM Ignition Lawsuit Trial Set For January 2016
It’s official: the first bellwether trial involving a lawsuit against General Motors over its role in the February 2014 ignition switch recall is set for January 2016.

NHTSA Orders More Documents From Honda About Takata Recall
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is demanding more satisfaction from Honda in as many days over the automaker’s role in the ongoing Takata airbag recall crisis, asking for more documents in a second request.

General Motors Stands To Lose $2B If Bankruptcy Protections Collapse
Remember all of those bankruptcy protections sought by General Motors that were made against any and all future lawsuits linked to ignition-related accidents and fatalities that occurred prior to the automaker’s exit from said bankruptcy in July 2009? Guess how much it would owe if the shield collapsed?

Suppliers Come To Takata's Aid Amid Airbag Recall Crisis
Takata may not being doing so hot amid its airbag crisis, but it is providing an opportunity for at least two other airbag suppliers.

Honda Ordered To Answer For Its Role In Takata Airbag Recall By November 24
Takata is no longer alone in facing an intense federal investigation over in its airbag recall action: Honda, too, has been ordered to answer under oath for its role in the recall.

Consumer Reports: Tesla Model S Ranked "Average" In Reliability Survey
Think your Tesla Model S is all that and a bag of Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Doritos? That it says to the world that you’ve arrived? That you’re standing on the edge of a silver future? Consumer Reports says your car’s just “average.”

FCA Quality Chief Replaced Day After Poor Survey Outing
A day after Fiat Chrysler Automobiles found itself near or at the bottom of Consumer Reports 2014 Annual Reliability Survey, FCA quality boss Doug Betts left the building.

2016 Chevrolet Volt Won't Need Premium To Move
When customers arrive to pick up the 2016 Chevrolet Volt late next year, they won’t need to spend money on premium when it eventually comes time to fill the tank.

AutoNation Ceases Sales Of Used Models Affected By Takata Recall
Automotive retailer AutoNation is pulling used vehicles off the lot that may be affected by the ongoing Takata airbag recall.

NHTSA Under The Gun Again Over Handling Of Takata Airbag Recall
Not long after undergoing scrutiny over its part of the February 2014 General Motors ignition switch recall, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration once again is under the gun, this time in its handling of the Takata airbag crisis.

US House Committee Reviewing Takata Airbag Recall
With around 7.8 million vehicles from various automakers under recall thanks to defects in airbags supplied by Takata, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee is reviewing the proceedings.

US New-Car Fuel Economy Improves For 2013, Falls For September 2014
Good news: New-car fuel economy in the United States improved to an average of 24.1 mpg in 2013.
Bad news: Said economy fell to 25.3 mpg for September 2014.

GM Puts Stop-Delivery Order On Colorado, Canyon Twins
If you ordered one of General Motors’ new mid-size pickups, your delivery may be a bit late, thanks to an airbag recall.

Toyota Recalls 690K Tacomas Over Rear Suspension Issues
Own a 2005 through 2011 Toyota Tacoma? It may be under recall due to rear suspension issues.

Chrysler Recalls 349K MY 2008 Units Over Ignition Issues
Owners of a handful of MY 2008 DaimlerChrysler products now have one thing in common with those who own certain General Motors models: An ignition-related recall.

Honda, GM Cracking Down On Non-Compliant CPO Programs
Honda and General Motors dealers beware: If you’re not strictly adhering to the rules laid out by the certified pre-owned overlords, you might find yourself suspended until conditions improve.

US District Court Orders Discovery For Some GM Ignition Switch Suits
Last Friday, U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman issued from his bench in the Southern District of New York an order for discovery to begin on a number of cases related to the February 2014 General Motors ignition switch recall.

Howes: No Escape Yet From Recall Woes For General Motors
After running the gauntlet of congressional hearings, numerous recalls and personnel firings under the dark cloud of scandal created in the wake of the February 2014 recall crisis, General Motors believes it’s ready to turn the page, that everything is now in the rear view.
Not so fast.

IRS Plug-In Vehicle Credit Cap Data Lacking Accuracy, Detail
In 2008, Congress passed a tax bill that would provide a credit of up to $7,500 for customers who purchase plug-in vehicles as a way to encourage adoption of cleaner vehicles. The credit would last in full for the first 200,000 units an automaker sold, then phased out over the course of 12 months.
The problem? The agency responsible for handling the credit, the Internal Revenue Service, has no clue as to where things stand as far as that cap is concerned, despite every automaker that sells a plug-in model reporting the figures every quarter, as required by law.

House Dems Take Republicans To Task Over NHTSA Report
In the wake of a report written by Republican members of the United States House of Representatives regarding the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration inability to find and link evidence regarding General Motors’ involvement in the design and implementation of an ignition switch now linked to 54 accidents and 19 fatalities, two Democrat members took the report’s authors to task.

Supplier Believes Lightweight Steel Has A Place In Light-Duty Pickups
Though Ford is going all in on aluminum for its upcoming F-150, with General Motors following suit soon after, one supplier believes lightweight steel can be just as effective as the alloy best known for holding beer and keeping turkeys juicy in the oven.

Real-Time Mapping Key To Autonomous Travel
Like famed explorers Lewis & Clark, Amerigo Vespucci and Dora, autonomous vehicles will be at the mercy of whatever maps are available as they navigate the uncharted technological waters of the United States and beyond.

GM, NHTSA Deliberated Saturn Vue Issue Thrice Prior To Recall
The General Motors recall train has boarded quite a few passengers since leaving the station in late February of this year. For one passenger, the 2002-2004 Saturn Vue (V-U-E, if you’re Keith Sweat), it took some deliberation by the conductors and fare inspectors before allowing the compact crossover aboard.

August 2014 US New-Car Fuel Economy Hits All-Time High Of 25.8 MPG
The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute’s monthly United States new-car fuel economy report is out, and it’s a doozy: August 2014 saw an all-time high of 25.8 mpg.

GM Mid-Size Twins Best Similarly Equipped Full-Size Pickups In Fuel Economy
As full-size pickups do their best to eke out as much fuel economy as possible, the upcoming Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon are set to deliver a combined 21 mpg once they leave the lot for the road.

2016 Infiniti Q50S To Receive G35's Hydraulic Steering
If you test-drove an Infiniti Q50S recently and came away with disappointment because its steering was lacking, you’ll be happy to know the sedan will receive an upgrade, courtesy of the G37.

2015 Ford F-150 Customer Orders Delayed Until February
Did you put in your order for the new aluminum 2015 Ford F-150? If so, you may be waiting a bit longer to join the Overlord of Truck Mountain in its court.

Honda Fixes Flawed Beam Design In 2015 Fit, Gains IIHS Top Safety Pick Rating
After a poor performance at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Honda has redesigned the front end of the 2015 Honda Fit to correct an issue with the compact’s front bumper beam.

General Motors Expands Ignition Website To Cover 20 Affected Models
Once reporting information on the group of vehicles affected by the February 2014 recall, General Motors’ website on the matter recently expanded to cover all 20 vehicles affected by the original and subsequent recalls over ignition problems.

Chinese Government Investigating Quality Issues Among Volkswagen Sagitars
Amid complaints of broken rear shafts from Sagitar owners, China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine has contacted Volkswagen to fix the problem.

Consumer Reports' Long-Term Tesla Develops Reliability Blemishes
Though the Tesla Model S is one of Consumer Reports’ recommended darlings, the premium EV garnered its share of reliability blemishes during long-term testing.

Szakaly: CAFE Targets Will Curb US Auto Sales Beyond 2018
The federal fuel efficiency mandates now in place to guide automakers toward a fleet average of 54.5 mpg by 2025 may curb United States auto sales after 2018, according to a leading economist speaking during the 2014 Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, Mich.

Recalled GM Cars See Bigger Price Drop Over Other Used Vehicles
Are your children about to start college? Maybe it’s their senior year in high school? Looking for a cheap vehicle and don’t mind if it’s been recalled to death by its automaker? Then a vehicle caught up in the General Motors recall parade might be the one, as prices have fallen hard as of late.

General Motors Recall Website Posted Incorrect Information For Some
The recall parade led by General Motors since February of this year may need to make room for another float, as the automaker’s own recall website provided incorrect information to some affected consumers.

New York City First In Nation To Ban Sales Of Unrepaired Recalled Used Vehicles
Shopping for a used vehicle in New York City? Thanks to city officials, the used car you buy will likely be a bit safer, as all 800 used dealerships must fix recalled vehicles prior to purchase, as well as fix those sold after the fact.

GM Warned Of Rental-Car Crashes As Early As 2005
Several years prior to the February 2014 General Motors ignition switch recall, car rental companies did their best to get the automaker’s attention regarding a series of accidents and fatalities linked to the latter’s low-cost fleet offerings.

Utilities, Automakers Collaborate On Smart PHEV Charging Platform
A combination of one research institute, eight automakers and 15 utilities are working together to create a smart grid charging platform for PHEVs.

Honda Dealerships Asked To Issue Waivers Over Defective Airbags
Ever wonder what would happen if Dethklok decided to go into the automotive business, especially with the virtual band’s use of pain waivers as a legal means to protect themselves from whatever death and/or dismemberment would likely occur during a concert?
Wonder no more: Honda is asking its dealers to ask their customers to sign a waiver acknowledging the used car they’re about to buy off the lot may have an Takata airbag that, in the event of a crash, could kill them upon deployment.

Equifax: Auto Lending At Record Highs, Delinquencies At Record Lows
Six years after the dark days of the Great Recession, automotive lending is back on the rise, while delinquencies on those loans remain grounded.

DOT Dozen Call For Congress To Focus On Long-Term Of Infrastructure Funding
Alongside 11 former U.S. Department of Transportation secretaries, current secretary Anthony Foxx urged both houses of Congress to find a long-term solution to the funding of the U.S. Highway Trust Fund beyond what is under consideration at present.

Nissan Loses Money On Every Leaf Replacement Battery Sold
In June, Nissan announced that Leaf owners could obtain a replacement battery pack for $5,500 upon trading in the old unit. While a boon to said owners, the automaker is losing blood on the deal every time a pack is sold.

Audi Leaves CVTs Behind For Dual-Clutch Automatics
CVT haters, rejoice: Audi’s latest set of Multitronic CVTs will be the automaker’s last.

EPA In "Consideration Phase" Of Real-World Fuel Economy Testing
As reported earlier, the Environmental Protection Agency is planning to put automakers through real-world testing of their MPG claims. However, the agency is asking this be done on the track instead of the highway.

General Motors Issues Six Recalls For 720,000 Vehicles
Wednesday, General Motors issued six recalls for a total of around 720,000 vehicles, all assembled within the last five years.

SAE J2601, J2799 Standardize Hydrogen Fueling, Increase FCV Range
It took 13 years, but SAE International has introduced a new standard for hydrogen fueling stations: SAE J2601.

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