News Service

GM recall: 1.5 million vehicles, including Cadillac, Chevrolet, have windshield wiper system fire risk

The recall affects several pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, crossovers and passenger car models from model years 2006-2009. General Motors had a similar recall in 2008, but new issues arose in fixed vehicles. General Motors said it will disable the heated washer fluid system module that could lead to fires. The Detroit automaker will pay owners and those leasing vehicles $100 each since the feature is being disabled. Five fires, but no injuries or crashes in GM vehicles have been reported. Nearly 1.4 million vehicles are in the U.S. and more than 100,000 vehicles are in Canada, Mexico and other international markets. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used

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Nissan recalling 135,000 Infiniti G35 coupes, sedans with airbags issues

The recall involves G35 coupes from the 2005 to 2007 model years and G35 sedans from the 2005 to 2006 model year. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used Cars Nissan reports the air bag unit’s wire harness under the front passenger seat could wear down and interrupt the air bag’s signal. In a crash, the air bag may not deploy and could increase the risk of injury. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced Nissan has not yet provided the agency with a plan to fix the vehicles or a timeline of when owners will be notified. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than

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Toyota troubles continue, automaker now facing more than 320 lawsuits

In a report filed with U.S. District Judge James Selna, attorneys for the plaintiffs and Toyota listed 228 federal cases and 99 related cases in state courts. A judicial panel consolidated the federal cases before Selna last month. Selna’s court is in Orange County, California, near Los Angeles and close to Toyota‘s U.S. headquarters. The next court date in the case is scheduled for May 13. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Toyota said the acceleration problems were caused by faulty floor mats and sticky accelerator pedals. Some plaintiffs also claim there’s defect with Toyota’s electronic throttle control system. Plaintiffs are alleging injury and death due to the sudden

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GM dedicates $890 million at five U.S. plants to generate new fuel, robust employment

According to a GM press release, the investment consists of the following: * Two plants will support the engine production: Tonawanda, N.Y. (an investment of $400 million resulting in more than 710 jobs) and St. Catharines, Ontario (an investment of $235 million resulting in approximately 400 jobs); * Three plants will support engine casting and component production: Defiance, Ohio (an investment of $115 million resulting in up to 189 jobs); Bedford, Ind. (an investment of $111 million resulting in about 245 jobs); Bay City, Mich. (an investment of $32 million resulting in over 80 jobs). The investments include facility renovation and installation of new, highly flexible engine machining and assembly equipment and special tooling designed for manufacturing efficiency and engine

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Hertz now really No. 1, acquires Dollar Thrifty for $1.27 billion

After beginning discussions last November, the companies approved the deal on April 25, according to newspaper. Hertz plans to keep the Dollar and Thrifty brands. The acquisition is “really about having a multi-brand strategy in the leisure segment,” said Mark P. Frissora, Hertz chairman and CEO. Buying Dollar Thrifty will help Hertz better use its fleet, give it a foothold in the mid-tier car rental market, increase its locations outside airports and let it push deeper into Europe, Frissora said. According to the newspaper’s account, Hertz currently uses about 95 percent of its fleet during the week but only 30 percent to 40 percent during the weekend, he said. Dollar Thrifty, by contrast, uses most of its fleet during the

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GM completes government loan payments, increases Chevy Volt, Malibu focus

AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, “I am very pleased to announce that, as of today, General Motors has repaid, in full and with interest, the loans made last July by the U.S. Treasury and Export Development Canada,” said GM chief executive Ed Whitacre, speaking at a plant in Fairfax, Kan., where GM builds Chevrolet Malibu and Buick LaCrosse sedans. Whitacre also announced GM would make two big investments for production of the next-generation Malibu: $136 million in the Fairfax facility, which will become the primary production point for the car. Likewise, GM has invested $121 million in its Detroit-Hamtramck plant to provide additional production at peak demand time.

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Best practices, top tips for buying car insurance

Reed begins the article with the statement: When it comes to auto insurance, you want to be adequately covered if you get in an accident but you don’t want to pay any more than you have to. So how can you navigate your way through this murky subject?” Reed offers step-by-step guidelines from how much coverage is needed to soliciting competitive quotes and researching online insurance companies for discounts to canceling your old policy. The author also offers a succinct, comprehensive checklist: * Determine your state’s insurance requirements. * Consider your own financial situation in relation to the required car insurance and consider buying more to protect your assets. * Review the status of your driving record — do you

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Sixty years of Vespa Girls: Cast your vote for the best of the bombshells

The LX has four different engines, all high-tech and Euro 2 compatible, ranging from a powerful 50cc two-stroke and a 50cc four-stroke to a 125 and 150cc four-stroke. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used Cars Roman Mica, a contributing editor to the Weekly Driver.com, ikes one tradition of Vespa more than its cool scooters. It’s the  tradition of the Vespa Girls, a wonderful collection of beautiful women who have served as Vespa Girls through the years. Mica has Vespa Girls polls, selecting the most attractive representative for the company. To view all of the Vespa Girls and to cast your vote, visit: www.tflcar.com. James RaiaA sports, travel and

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Honda tops most stolen car list, but Ford has three models on dubious top-10 list

Here are the top-10 most stolen cars in the U.S. in 2008, the most recently available list: 1. 1994 Honda Accord; 2. 1995 Honda Civic; 3. 1989 Toyota Camry; 4. 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup; 5. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup; 6. 2000 Dodge Caravan; 7. 1996 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee; 8. 1994 Acura Integra; 9. 1999 Ford Taurus; 10. 2002 Ford Explorer. Esurance.com has suggested tips for avoiding auto theft. 1. Don’t be a dummy— simple common sense will go a long way towards protecting you against theft. Always lock your doors (even in your own driveway), try to avoid parking in risky areas (if you’re not sure, it’s probably risky), and never leave tempting valuables in your car (if you must,

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Toyota halts worldwide sales of Lexus GX 460 SUV after Consumer Reports warning

Toyota spokeswoman Mieko Iwasaki said the company is expanding the suspension to the Middle East and Russia, the only other markets where it was sold. “We have no specific target in mind when to resume the sales,” said another Toyota spokesman Ririki Takeuchi. “We are now investigating the case by trying to replicate the situation that Consumer Reports pointed out.” Consumer Reports said it judged the 2010 model to be a safety risk because of a problem that cropped up during standard emergency-handling tests. “When pushed to its limits on our track’s handling course, the rear of the GX we bought slid out until the vehicle was almost sideways before the electronic stability control system was able to regain control,”

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Lexus GX 460 stung with Consumer Report's 'don't buy' warning

Consumer Reports magazine has further tarnished the reputation of Toyota after giving its luxury brand Lexus GX 460 SUV a rare “Don’t Buy” warning. The publication’s editors report a problem that occurred during routine handling tests could lead to a rollover accident in real-world driving. Specifically, during unusual turns during testing, the rear of the vehicle slid until it was nearly sideways before the electronic stability control system engaged. The magazine reported in real-world driving, a similar scenario could cause a rollover accident. As a result, the magazine has given the seven-seat SUV a “Don’t Buy: Safety Risk” label until the problem is fixed. “In a real world situation, by that time, the car can hit the curb or the

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Toyota fined maximum $16.4 million by NTHSA, largest in auto history

According to documents obtained from Toyota, NHTSA detailed in a press release the automaker knew some of its cars had sticky accelerator pedals since September 2009 and failed to notify the agency for more than four months. Under federal regulations, automakers are required to inform the agency within five days of determining a safety defect exists in one of its products. “We now have proof that Toyota failed to live up to its legal obligations,” said Secretary LaHood. “Worse yet, they knowingly hid a dangerous defect for months from U.S. officials and did not take action to protect millions of drivers and their families. For those reasons, we are seeking the maximum penalty possible under current laws.” NHTSA is still

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Land Rover debuts new, intuitive, customer-oriented web site

The new web site includes a ‘Build and Price’ configurator for all models. Consumers can now customize and price a Land Rover, including its wheels, exterior and interior trim colors and other options. The web site’s features also include: 360-degree views of vehicles, detailed specification and a price calculator. The details can be sent to friends, printed as hard copies or sent to a local dealership to arrange a test drive. To view the new Land Rover site, visit: www.landrover.co.uk James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for

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Apple iPad, Hyundai Equus soon to travel technology highway together

The Hyundai Equus is being touted as competition for the Lexus LS 460 and the Mercedes Benz S550 sedans. The iPad, scheduled to debut April 3 as Apple’s sleek tablet computer. It will be included as part of the package for consumers who buy an Equus, which has Hyundai says will be priced between $50,000-$60,000. “They (Hyundai) are trying to position themselves as a modern, in-touch, technologically savvy brand, Mike Bloxham, director of insight and research at Ball State University’s Center for Media Design, told Hirsch. “It’s the sort of innovation you would expect from BMW or Mercedes, but not Hyundai.” Hyundai believes its customers willing to spend more on a new luxury car are likely the same customers interested

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Daimler AG, manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, fined $185 million for bribery

U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon ordered Daimler to pay $93.6 million in criminal fines and $91.4 million in civil penalties. According to court documents, Daimler AG and its subsidiaries in Germany, Russia, and China agreed to the filing of a single count of conspiracy to violate U.S. anti-bribery laws. The Justice Department said Daimler, whose stocks trade on multiple exchanges in the U.S., “engaged in a long-standing practice of paying bribes to foreign government officials.” Countries whose officials were bribed, according to the court documents: China, Croatia, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Latvia, Nigeria, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and several others. The Justice Department said the bribes were made “to assist in

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China's Geely finalizes deal to buy ailing Volvo from Ford

Volvo had been on the market since 2008 when Ford put several brands up for sale. Geely bought Volvo for $1.8 billion, the biggest overseas purchase by a Chinese car manufacturer. “Today represents a milestone for Geely,” the company’s chairman Li Shufu said of the deal first announced last December. Ford, which purchased Volvo in 1999 for $6.5 billion, hopes revenue from the sale will help pay off its debts. Volvo has not made a profit since 2005. Geely, China’s biggest independent car maker, has pledged to keep Volvo as a separate company with its headquarters remaining in Sweden. Geely, founded in 1986, has 12,000 employees and the capacity to manufacturer about 300,000 cars per year. Geely said it will

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