Takata continues to make the news as Japans three biggest automobile manufacturers, Toyota, Nissan, and Honda, announce that they are expanding the recall for faulty airbags. Over 30 million vehicles world wide have been recalled over the defect and it has been linked to six deaths and over 100 injuries. Although it is not known for sure why Takata airbags are prone to exploding some suspect the ammonium nitrate used to inflate them can overheat, especially in high humidity, and shower passengers and drivers with shrapnel from the canisters holding them. Continue reading
Category Archives: Automotive News
Government Incentives Recommended To Improve EV & Hybrid Sales
According to a study done by the National Research Council (NRC), if electric and plug in hybrid vehicles are to be adopted by consumers, the Federal government must continue to provide incentives for buyers. Currently, vehicle cost, battery technology, and lack of consumer knowledge are some areas that the federal government need to address. Developing less expensive, better performing batteries to reduce cost, and a market strategy, is needed to create awareness and overcome customer uncertainty. Continue reading
Dealerships Propose Bill To Protect Consumers From Unfixed Recalls
In response to the NHTSA pushing congress to change rules that will force car rental companies and used car dealerships to fix recalls, California car dealers have come up with their own version of a fix they say will protect consumers. The organization is proposing a state bill that would require 100% disclosure of recalls for used car sales. Dealerships would be obligated to tell you about all defects and where you can go to get it fixed, same line dealerships would have to make repairs before they could sell a recalled car, and serious recalls, as defined by manufacturers, would have to be fixed no matter which type of dealership is selling it. Continue reading
NHTSA wants Congress To Decide On Recalled Auto Safety
Once again, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and elected officials are pushing congress to pass laws that require car rental companies and used car dealerships to fix recalls before vehicles can be rented or sold. Under current federal law, rental companies and used car dealers are not required to fix a defect, or even tell you that there is a problem, before you drive a vehicle off their lot. This lack of regulation puts drivers at risk and has lead to fatal crashes. Continue reading
Does California Need A Per Mile Road Tax?
As the use of electric and hybrid vehicles increase, and the fuel efficiency of newer vehicles becomes better, states are finding that the per-gallon fuel tax is no longer generating enough income to fund road maintenance and operations. In response to the declining revenue, late last year California legislature approved a Bill to examine the implementation of a road usage charge.
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Repeated Safety Defects
If you are the owner of a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, you are probably aware of the repeated problems experienced by many drivers. With over four hundred complaints and eight recalls, this model year Grand Cherokee has gained a reputation as a lemon vehicle. Airbag, electrical, electronic stability control (ECS), vehicle speed control, and brake problems have been blamed for unsafe driving conditions and accidents on several occasions. Continue reading
RECALL Act – Repair Every Car to Avoid Lost Lives Act
A new legislation introduced to the senate this week, would force states to inform drivers about safety recalls on their vehicles and require them to have repairs done before renewing their registration. The Repair Every Car to Avoid Lost Lives, or RECALL Act, has been introduced to address the millions of vehicles that have unfixed recalls and concerns that less that 70% of vehicle repairs are done within 18 months of being recalled. The bill has already received support from several consumer groups including the Center for Auto Safety, the Consumer Federation of America, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, and even some automakers.
Google & Apple Battle For Automobile Dashboards
After years of being treated as an interesting side business, automobiles have become the next target for Apple and Google, with Apple assigning 200 engineers to work on electric vehicle technology and Google saying it sees the public going driverless within five years. The most immediate battle, however, is the development of the next generation dashboard systems. Continue reading
