October 2015

2017 Acura NSX: Digital supercar

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(October 31, 2015) I remember taking my brother Bill for a ride in the NSX a few years after its introduction. On a deserted back road we touched 135 mph in surprising comfort, and not more drama than you might experience taking your family sedan up to the store to get some milk.

FCA recalling nearly 560,000 vehicles in two separate issues

(October 30, 2015) AUBURN HILLS,  Mich. — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has issued two voluntary recalls today involving 559,703 vehicles for two separate issues. FCA is recalling an estimated 275,614 cross-utility vehicles (CUVs) in the U.S. to apply a moisture sealant and replace, as required, certain electrical components. And it is recalling an estimated 284,089 older-model SUVs in the U.S. to replace their Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) modules and front and/or side-impact sensors, as required.
 

Honda recalling 303,904 older Accords for side airbag problem

(October 30, 2015) TORRANCE, Calif. — Honda said in a statement Thursday that it will voluntarily recall 303,904 model-year 2008-2009 Accord vehicles in the United States to update the side Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) software, free of charge.

Volkswagen reaffirms investment plans in Chattanooga

(October 30, 2015) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Volkswagen Group has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding its Chattanooga facility, where it plans on producing a newly developed midsize SUV for the U.S. market. As previously announced, the Group plans on a total investment of approximately $900 million in the production of a newly developed, seven-passenger SUV.

In Tennessee alone, Volkswagen Group anticipates a $600 million investment and creation of 2,000 additional jobs.  Production of the new midsize SUV is scheduled to begin in Chattanooga toward the end of 2016.

Nissan conducts first on-road test of piloted drive vehicle

(October 30, 2015) YOKOHAMA, Japan — Nissan has begun testing its first prototype vehicle that demonstrates piloted drive on both highway and city/urban roads.

Nissan maintains two corporate visions of a sustainable mobile society: "Zero Emission" and "Zero Fatality." For Zero Emission, the company's goal is to eliminate the emission of CO2 gasses from Nissan vehicles, while Zero Fatality is an aspirational goal that aims to eliminate virtually all fatalities stemming from traffic accidents.

Just a year after its return, Datsun looking at expansion

(October 30, 2015) YOKOHAMA, Japan — Just a year after its return, the reborn Datsun brand is looking at possible expansion in new high growth markets such as Africa, Middle East, South East Asia and beyond. The announcement made during a special event at Nissan Global Headquarters coincided with the first anniversary of the start of sales in South Africa, the fourth of the brand's initial launch markets.

GMC momentum — Sales up 12.6 percent in first nine months of 2015

(October 29, 2015) DETROIT — Customers continue to embrace the premium design, technology and capability that define the GMC brand. Retail sales of GMC crossovers, trucks and SUVs in the U.S. are up 12.6 percent year over year in the first nine months of 2015 — more than twice the industry average increase.

GMC retail sales — those to individual customers — have risen for 20 straight months through September.

FCA recalling 75,364 Jeep Cherokees over air conditioning line issue

(October 29, 2015)  AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is voluntarily recalling an estimated 75,364 U.S.-market SUVs to inspect and replace, as required, their air-conditioning lines, as required. FCA US launched an investigation after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received two customer complaints involving smoke and fire.

The company discovered air-conditioning lines on some vehicles may have been installed in close proximity to their engines’ exhaust manifolds; under certain operating conditions, this may pose a fire risk.
 

Mercedes introduces the lounge car in Tokyo

(October 29, 2015) TOKYO — Mercedes-Benz has unveiled The Vision Tokyo, a self-driving luxury lounge powered by a hydrogen fuel cell that generates its own electricity, at the Tokyo Motor Show. The concept is described as a “trailblazing spatial experience” and features a longe-like five-seat interior in a fully electric vehicle that is capable of autonomous driving

Volkswagen CEO reveals five-point plan to take company through crisis

(October 29, 2015) Matthias Mueller, chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen, has announced the five key steps to realign the group. He presented a five point plan that he intends to use so that Volkswagen remains one of the world's leading automobile manufacturers in the future. Mueller is confident that "Volkswagen will emerge from the current diesel emissions cheating scandal stronger than before."