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Good News For The Auto Industry In California

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An automobile plant recently close by Toyota in California will be opening up their doors again for Tesla Motors Corp. Backed by a $50 million investment by Toyota, Tesla will start making electric cars within the year, at the same plant that was shared by a Toyota/GM venture. “By working together with a venture business such as Tesla, Toyota would like to learn from the challenging spirit, quick decision-making and flexibility that Tesla has. Decades ago, Toyota was also born as a venture business,” Toyoda said in a statement.

Restarting the factory is a major achievement for California’s economic development and a rare victory for a state that many business leaders say has become uncompetitive because of more regulations and higher labor costs than other states.

But not everyone is happy. The move is a disappointment for Downey officials who had been in talks with the automaker, hoping the company would set up shop in a closed facility that had once been used to manufacture the space shuttle.

Toyota’s investment in Tesla is particularly important because the electric vehicle company will be competing against better capitalized and larger traditional manufacturers. When an established manufacturer decides to partner with newcomers it will considerably increase the probability of success by giving them manufacturing know-how and access to a distribution network

Toyota Recalls Lexus LS Vehicles

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Toyota announced Wednesday that it will be recalling almost 4,500 Lexus LS luxury sedans in the United States and 7,000 in Japan. The complaint comes from consumers who say that the steering wheel came out of alignment with the direction of the car’s wheels during certain driving maneuvers.

The problem involves the computerized system that oversees how the steering wheel controls the tires. The steering system comes standard in Japanese models, but is optional in other countries. It varies the amount that the steering wheel turns the tires, allowing drivers to turn the wheel less at low speeds when attempting to navigate or park in tight spots and providing finer control at high speeds. The system can take “a few seconds” to return the steering to normal after it has been adjusted, which led to complaints from drivers, said Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco.

There have been 12 complaints out of Japan but no accidents reported because of the problem.

Auto Sales Up – Motorcycle Sales Down

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After massive restructurings in the auto industry, things seem to be looking up. After ten consecutive money losing quarters, GM said that they have made an unexpected profit of $865 million in the first quarter. Even Toyota, still recovering from their biggest recall ever for unintended acceleration, said Tuesday that the January-March profit totaled $1.2 billion compared to a loss the year before. But when it comes to motorcycles and scooters, things are still looking grim.

Even though motorcycles and scooters are more economical to operate, their sales are down 4.6% in the first quarter compared to last year. Hard hit by a down economy that has tightened credit and by stable gasoline prices, motorcycle dealers are scrambling to find customers any way they can. With so few buyers in the market for new bikes dealers are focusing on parts, accessories and pre-owned motorcycles to survive. Many dealerships have also cut hours and staff.

Automobile “Secret Warranties”

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When someone buys a new car, it comes with a warranty. We have the California Lemon Laws (aka: Song Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which all work together to protect the consumer when buying a vehicle. We also expect the dealership to deal fairly with consumers and sell us vehicles that are safe and free of defects. One more category of protection that you will never read about in your vehicle warranty documents is the “secret warranty”.

When a car manufacturer builds a new vehicle many of the parts are manufactured all over the world. Once the vehicle is put together, it is tested to make sure there are no defects. Often during the testing phase, problems are found that are regarded as low risk and the automobile will be allowed to go into production. When the problem starts to turn up in a few vehicles most often, they just get repaired. For those few consumers who make a big fuss and threaten to report the problem to the NHTSA, the dealership makes a “special exception” and fixes the vehicle defect at no cost. They know that the problem exists, but it is cheaper to repair the few vehicles that come in rather than issue a recall. Every automobile manufacturer has at least one ‘secret warranty’, and often have three or four. If too many safety defects get reported, the NHTSA will issue a recall.

If you have a defect in your car, do your homework. Go online and find out if other owners are experiencing the same defects. Read about the lemon law and find out if a ‘secret warranty’ exists and get the service you deserve.

The California Lemon Law Offices of Delsack & Associates is recognized as one of California’s best and oldest lemon law firms. We have a nearly 100% success rate of the California Lemon Law cases we accept, and offer statewide services so that wherever you live in California you can put our 22 years of experience to work for you. If you think you have a “lemon,” stop throwing your money away on costly repeat auto repairs. Contact The California Lemon Law Specialists, get A Free consultation and get rid of your CA lemon today!

Anywhere in California (free call): 1.888.ExLemon (395.3666)

  • California Lemon Law in Los Angeles: 310-475-1700
  • California Lemon Law in San Francisco: 415-285-5366
  • California Lemon Law in San Diego: 619-229-6900
  • California Lemon Law in Orange County: 949-856-4333
  • California Lemon Law in Palm Springs: 760-395-1000
  • California Lemon Law in San Fernando Valley: 818-837-0500

Automobile Recalls For April 2010

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Below are some of the automobile recalls for April 2010:

  • Volvo is recalling certain model 2010 XC90 vehicle for a fuel line leak that could develop in the fuel line at the right front wheel. Dealers will inspect the date code of the fuel line and will replace it free of charge if needed. The recall is expected to begin during May. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
  • The Braun Corporation is recalling some 2008-2010 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan commercial enter vans altered between January 21, 2009 and March 19, 2010. When the vehicles were converted for wheelchair accessibility, the fuel fill pipe was exposed close to the left rear tire. This may result in wear on the tire resulting in loss of tire pressure which could lead to an accident, or a vehicle fire if the fuel fill pipe becomes worn. Braun will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during May 2010. Owners may contact Braun toll-free at 1-800-488-0359.
  • BMW is recalling certain 2010 X5 M SAV vehicle because they do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 108. (Lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment) These vehicle were equipped with side marker lamps, but are not wired for illumination. BMW has not yet provided a remedy or an owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners may contact BMW at 800-525-7417.
  • Hino is recalling some 2008-2010 NV8J trucks with Allison 3000 RDS automatic transmission. The drive coupler bolts could shear due to improper tightening during the manufacturing process. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule or a remedy for this campaign. Owners may contact Hino at 1-248-699-9330.
  • Workhorse is recalling certain model year 2010 W42, W62 and model year 2011 W22 trucks and built with a General Motors gasoline engine and equipped with Remy alternator. A low resistance electrical short in the alternator may result in a vehicle fire. Dealers will inspect and replace the alternator if necessary free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during May 2010. Owners may contact Workhorse at 1-877-246-7731.
  • Ford is recalling some 2010 Fusion, Explorer, Explorer Sport Trac, Mercury Milan and mountaineer vehicles manufactured between December 15, 2009 – February 3, 2010 for head restraints that do not comply with vehicle safety standards. In a crash, the head restraint may move rearward increasing the risk of neck injury. Dealers will replace the manual recliners for both power and manual seats free of charge. The safety recall began on May 3, 2010. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Could Your Car Computer Be Hacked?

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When you think about the technology that runs our automobiles these days, it’s quite impressive. Not only have they made our driving experience much more comfortable, but also much safer. (Anti-lock braking systems, airbags, electronic stability systems, traction control…..just to mention a few.) Even though the computers that controls all these system are usually quite reliable, we know that they can have their flaws as well.

University researchers have taken a close look at the computer systems used to run today’s cars and discovered that hacking into a cars computer system is really not that complicated. In a late 2009 demonstration, they hacked into a test car’s electronic braking system and prevented a test driver from braking a moving car. In other tests, they were able to kill the engine, falsify the speedometer reading, and automatically lock the car’s brakes unevenly. They ran their test by plugging a laptop into the car’s diagnostic system and then controlling that computer wirelessly, from a laptop in a vehicle riding next to the car.

The point of the research isn’t to scare a nation of drivers, already made nervous by stories of software glitches, faulty brakes and massive automotive recalls. It’s to warn the car industry that it needs to keep security in mind as it develops more sophisticated automotive computer systems.

Subaru Recalls Outback And Legacy Vehicles

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Subaru is recalling almost 30,000, 2010 Outback and Legacy vehicles built between July 31, 2009 and December 1, 2009 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The problem affects cars with continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT cooler hose could crack and leak resulting in damage to the transmission and possibly start a fire. Subaru dealers will replace the hose for free, with parts being available sometimes this month.

If you own or think you own one of these cars and need more information, Subaru’s customer hot line is 856-488-8500. You can also try calling NHTSA’s vehicle safety hot line at 888-327-4236.

May Is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

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May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and California’s traffic safety partners and their supporters are encouraging riders and vehicle drivers to be aware of motorcycle safety issues.

Home to more than 1.2 million licensed motorcyclists, California has seen an increase in the number of victims killed or injured in motorcycle collisions. According to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), a record of almost 600 victims were killed and another 13,000 people were injured in motorcycle-involved crashes throughout the state.

Motorcycling is not just for recreation anymore. It is a means of transportation and a way of life for many. Because motorcycles are harder to see and offer less protection for the rider, motorcyclists are more likely to die in a crash than someone in an automobile, therefore, you should always be alert and watch out for them, especially when turning and changing lanes.

As with any motor vehicle, speeding and/or impairment due to alcohol and other drugs is never a good combination on the roads. By encouraging safe riding and cooperation between all motorists and motorcyclists, we can reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on our nation’s highways.