The 2015 Ford Focus.Handout Ford is facing some serious legal drama as consumer fraud cases in the U.S. gather steam, reports the Detroit Free Press. Over 1.9 million people worldwide who purchased a Focus or Fiesta could take part in a class-action suit accusing Ford of lying to move the faulty vehicles, and then not taking ownership of the problem when it arose. The complaints center around the dual-clutch transmissions found in the 2012 through 2016 Focus and 2011 through 2016 Fiesta. Legal filings describe customers experiencing “shuddering, slipping, bucking, jerking, hesitation while changing gears, premature internal wear, delays in downshifting and, in some cases, sudden or delayed acceleration.” In April 2019, Ford’s lawyer Ryan Wu appealed to have the settlement amount lowered to US$35 million from US$4 billion. Judges are in the process of deciding whether to uphold the settlement. “If history is any indication, the situation facing Ford is grim, suggests the Free Press. A California jury awarded Ariel Myers of Los Angeles $550,000 after finding that Ford acted with malice and committed fraud by concealing that the transmission in his 2014 Ford Focus was seriously defective, inducing him to purchase the car, despite a history of massive numbers of transmission failures, according a news release after the April 6, 2018, verdict from the nonprofit Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety based in Sacramento.” Judges are expected to reach a conclusion on the by the end of the year.
Origin: US$4 billion class-action leveled at Ford over Focus, Fiesta transmissions
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EV advocates, critics charged up over B.C. goal of phasing out gas vehicles by 2040
Travis McKeown with his new blue Chevy Bolt in Richmond, BC., May 6, 2019.Nick Procaylo / Postmedia When Travis McKeown considered getting rid of his 2007 Honda Civic recently, the high price of gas and the abundance of government rebates made the idea of switching to an electric vehicle too good to pass up. The 32-year-old IT worker did the math on his daily commute from Surrey to Richmond, the travel range needed for his wife and two young children, the cost of premium gas for his Civic SI, the fact he’d get an HOV sticker for the George Massey Tunnel, the lower maintenance fees and the almost $16,000 in rebates currently available from the provincial, federal and SCRAP-IT programs. In the end, McKeown bought a fully loaded $60,000 Chevrolet Bolt electric, and cut the price down to $44,000 with incentives. He took possession of his high-tech new ride early May 2019, and is pleased at how it all worked out. “If the rebates weren’t there, it wouldn’t make sense,” he said of his purchase. However, McKeown is now facing hassles and more than $4,000 to get a charger installed in his strata townhome due to electrical upgrades. The B.C. government is counting on motorists like McKeown to sort out the details and make the switch from gas to electric vehicles as part of its aggressive target to require all new car, SUV and light-duty trucks sales be zero-emission by 2040. The idea to phase out gas vehicles as part of the NDP’s Clean B.C. climate-change-pollution reduction goal is attracting both criticism and praise as the legislation winds its way through debate at the legislature. Opposition Liberal MLAs have raised concerns about so-called “range anxiety” on the travel distance of electric vehicles, the lack of available charging stations, battery-replacement costs of up to $8,000 exceeding the value of the vehicle, pollution caused from battery recycling, the high cost of retrofitting charging stations into existing strata buildings, and the need in some parts of rural B.C. to continue to use more-powerful gas and diesel-powered heavy-duty trucks. “All of the items of concerns that they listed … they are not reasons to pull back from this type of mandate, and that’s the consensus amongst many jurisdictions,” said Energy Minister Michelle Mungall. “The world is changing and B.C. has the option to stay behind or get on-board and we not only want to get on-board, we want to be leaders.” Interest in electric vehicles in B.C. is among the highest in Canada, and made up four per cent of new, light-duty vehicle sales in 2018. In the first quarter of 2019, sales rose to six per cent. There are more than 17,000 zero-emission vehicles currently on B.C. roads. An EV electric vehicle charging parking spot in a parking lot at UBC, Vancouver, February 20 2019. Gerry Kahrmann / Postmedia The legislation, if passed, will mean that in 2040 automobile manufacturers will face fines if they sell or lease new sedans, SUVs or light-duty trucks (Ford F-150-level equivalents) that run on gas. Regular hybrids also won’t be allowed, but plug-in hybrids and hydrogen-powered vehicles would be exempt. To get there, B.C. proposes to phase in requirements of 10 per cent of vehicle sales to be emissions-free by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030. New gas- or diesel-powered heavy duty vehicles, like Ford F-250s, buses, transport trucks, motorcycles and medium-duty delivery vans, would be exempt and still available for purchase after 2040. Also, used gas-powered vehicles could still be sold at used-car dealerships. Technically, the legislation sets out a complicated “ZEV” unit sales compliance system, similar to California, where automobile manufacturers pick up units depending on the range and emission type of vehicles sold. Penalties for failing to comply or properly report could be as high as $1 million. Opposition Liberals are supporting the legislation, but are still concerned at government dictating what people can buy without a clear plan on how to increase the number of charging stations and handle electricity demands, said critic Peter Milobar. “It’s not going to accomplish anywhere near what the marketing of the government is trying to make it out to be,” he said. Milobar said provincial subsidies of up to $5,000 for a new, eligible battery electric or plug-in hybrid aren’t funded or guaranteed beyond 2019. Ottawa has a $5,000-per-vehicle incentive program funded for three years. “Part of the worry with this bill is — and I think it’s a very valid and real concern — is once you’ve made this a legislative mandate with very high fine structures in place it’s very easy for a government to turn around to the manufactures and say there’s no subsidies, it’s your job to figure out how to make people buy a car they don’t want to buy,” said Milobar. Green Leader Andrew Weaver, who owns an electric Nissan LEAF and just bought an electric Hyundai Kona, refuted the concerns. “Most of the points that were raised by the B.C. Liberals
Origin: EV advocates, critics charged up over B.C. goal of phasing out gas vehicles by 2040
Tesla sued over fatal crash blamed on autopilot navigation error
2018 Model X sits on display outside a Tesla showroom.David Zalubowski / AP Photo Tesla Inc. was sued by the family of a man who died as the result of a crash allegedly caused when the Autopilot navigation system of his 2017 Model X malfunctioned. The family of Walter Huang, 38, said in a complaint filed April 26 in California state court that the vehicle, which was sold as a “state-of-the-art” automobile, lacked safety features, such as an automatic emergency braking system. Such features are available on much less expensive vehicles from other carmakers, as well as on more recent Model Xs, Huang’s family said. The family also alleges that Tesla knew, or should have known, “that the Tesla Model X was likely to cause injury to its occupants by leaving travel lanes and striking fixed objects when used in a reasonably foreseeable manner.” The carmaker should have issued a recall or provided a warning “in light of the risk of harm,” the family said in the complaint. Huang died because “Tesla is beta testing its Autopilot software on live drivers,” B. Mark Fong, a lawyer for the family, said in a statement. “The Huang family wants to help prevent this tragedy from happening to other drivers using Tesla vehicles or any semi-autonomous vehicles.” Huang crashed on the morning of March 23, 2018, while driving on U.S. Highway 101 in Mountain View, California, when the Tesla Autopilot allegedly turned the vehicle left, straight into the concrete median. He’s survived by his wife, two children, and his parents. The State of California Department of Transportation is also named as a defendant for failing to repair or restore a crash attenuator that had been damaged in a collision a week before Huang’s crash. The case is Huang v. Tesla Inc., 19CV346663, California Superior Court, Santa Clara
Origin: Tesla sued over fatal crash blamed on autopilot navigation error
NHTSA investigating 12.3 million vehicles over airbags that don’t deploy
2013 Hyundai SonataHandout / Hyundai DETROIT — U.S. auto safety regulators have expanded an investigation into malfunctioning air bag controls to include 12.3 million vehicles equipped with bags that may not inflate in a crash. The problem could be responsible for as many as eight deaths. Vehicles made by Toyota, Honda, Kia, Hyundai, Mitsubishi and FCA from the 2010 through 2019 model years are included in the probe, which was revealed Tuesday in documents posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It involves air bag control units made by ZF-TRW that were installed in the vehicles. The control units can fail in a crash, possibly because of unwanted electrical signals produced by the crash itself that can disable an air bag control circuit housed in the passenger compartment, and the electrical signals can damage the control circuit, according the documents. ZF, a German auto parts maker which acquired TRW Automotive in 2015, said it’s committed to safety and is co-operating with NHTSA and automakers in the investigation. The case is another in a long list of problems with auto industry air bags, including faulty and potentially deadly Takata air bag inflators. At least 24 people have been killed worldwide and more than 200 injured by the Takata inflators, which can explode with too much force and hurl dangerous shrapnel into the passenger cabin. The inflators touched off the largest series of automotive recalls in U.S. history with as many as 70 million inflators to be recalled by the end of next year. About 100 million inflators are to be recalled worldwide. On April 19, NHTSA upgraded the ZF-TRW probe from a preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis, which is a step closer toward seeking recalls. So far, only Hyundai, Kia, and FCA have issued recalls in the case. Four deaths that may have been caused by the problem were reported in Hyundai and Kia vehicles, and three in FCA vehicles. NHTSA opened an investigation in March of 2017 involving the TRW parts in certain Hyundai and Kia models. The upgrade came after investigators found two recent serious crashes involving 2018 and 2019 Toyota Corollas, in which the airbags didn’t inflate. One person was killed. Toyota said it’s co-operating in the probe, doing its own investigation and will take “any appropriate action.” Jason Levine, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, a non-profit consumer group, said the ZF-TRW case shows the auto industry thus far has learned very little from Takata. “A single supplier of an important safety component provided what appears to be a defective part across multiple manufacturers and 12 million cars,” Levine said. “While the first fatality reports emerged three years ago, it has taken a higher body count for more significant action to be taken by NHTSA and most impacted manufacturers remain silent. The industry needs to do better.” NHTSA said it will take “appropriate action” based on the investigation’s findings. In the ZF-TRW investigation documents, NHTSA said that it didn’t find any other cases of electrical interference in Hyundai, Kia or FCA vehicles that used the ZF-TRW system, but were not recalled. Also, the agency has not identified any other cases of electrical interference in other Toyotas including Corollas, since the company started using the ZF-TRW parts in the 2011 model year. In addition, no electrical interference cases have been identified in Honda or Mitsubishi vehicles with the same parts, the agency said. NHTSA will evaluate how susceptible the air bag control units are to electrical signals as well as other factors that could stop air bags from inflating. The agency also “will evaluate whether an unreasonable risk exists that requires further field action.” Last year, Hyundai and Kia recalled nearly 1.1 million vehicles because of the problem, about a year after NHTSA opened its investigation. Kia vehicles covered included 2010 through 2013 Forte, and 2011 through 2013 Optima in the U.S. Also covered are Optima Hybrid and Sedona minivans from 2011 and 2012. Recalled Hyundai vehicles included 2011 through 2013 Sonata, and the 2011 and 2012 Sonata Hybrid. In 2016, Fiat Chrysler recalled about 1.9 million vehicles worldwide including the 2010 Chrysler Sebring, the 2011 through 2014 Chrysler 200, the 2010 through 2012 Dodge Caliber, the 2010 through 2014 Dodge Avenger, the 2010 through 2014 Jeep Patriot and Compass, and the 2012 and 2013 Lancia
Origin: NHTSA investigating 12.3 million vehicles over airbags that don’t deploy
New Aston Martin Rapide E revealed with over 600bhp
Aston Martin has revealed its production-ready Rapide E electric luxury saloon at the Shanghai motor show. Previewed by various conceps, this Rapide E is the final version that will be delivered to customers later this year. It is significant both as the first Aston EV and the first model to leave the brand’s new ‘home of electrification’ facility in St Athan, Wales. Limited to 155 examples and available to order now at an undisclosed price, the Rapide E features a front end redesigned from the standard Rapide to aid cooling and aerodynamics. It also provides a visual link to Aston’s latest models such as the DBS Superleggera. Less visible but equally significant are the changes to the underfloor, directing airflow from the front splitter to a new, larger rear diffuser made possible by the removal of the exhaust system. Numerous other changes add up to an 8% improvement in aero efficiency over the old petrol-powered Rapide. The interior has been overhauled, too, bringing the nine year-old Rapide’s design up to date with the rest of the range. The most significant upgrade is the 10in digital instrument display showing key information such as battery charge level, motor power levels, energy usage and regenerative braking. Aston also claims extensive use of carbon fibre throughout the cabin to help reduce weight. The Rapide E’s electric propulsion system is packaged within the space left by the removal of the original 6.0-litre V12 engine. It’s powered by an 800V battery pack encased in carbon fibre and kevlar, feeding two rear-mounted electric motors, making a ‘combined target output’ of just over 602bhp and 701 lb ft of torque. Aston claims a sub-4.0sec 0-60mph time, a 50-70mph time of 1.5 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. Though those figures don’t better the fastest Tesla models, Aston claims the performance is “not restricted to a narrow window of battery charge of climatic conditions”, instead delivered in a “consistent and repeatable way”. The car’s range is pegged at just over 200 miles under the new, more realistic WLTP measuring regime. The 800v battery system is capable of delivering 100kW or higher of battery charge using a suitable charger, while an on-board AC charger can take the Rapide E from empty to full in three hours. Aston Martin has also paid careful attention to the Rapide E’s chassis tuning, bringing in revised spring and damper rates and a new limited-slip differential to handle the torque. Three driving modes also feature, while Aston claims the handling characteristics of the Rapide AMR have been retained. Aston CEO Andy Palmer commented that the Rapide E’s unveiling marked “a truly historic step. One that signals Aston Martin is prepared for the huge challenge of an environmentally responsible and sustainable
Origin: New Aston Martin Rapide E revealed with over 600bhp
Mazda is mulling over a new Mazdaspeed3, but might not call it that
Miss the Mazdaspeed3? Mazda says it was childish and we wont see anything like it in the next little while.Handout Mazda could be planning to build another Mazdaspeed3 for the first time since 2013. Representatives have confirmed to Autocar and Car and Driver the Japanese brand is seriously considering adding a performance version of its new Mazda3 to the lineup. According to Mazda program manager Kota Beppu, Mazda is very close to approving the proposed vehicle. It would directly face off against the Volkswagen GTI, which has been the benchmark for hot hatchbacks for many years. Mazda already has all the ingredients for the perfect hot hatch recipe, namely a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder from the CX-9 and CX-5 SUVs that makes up to 250 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s a huge bump up from the 228 horsepower found in the GTI and encroaches on Honda Civic Type R territory and Golf R territory, which also means that the zero-to-96-km/h times could be as slinky as 5.0 seconds. All that twist would be sent to all four wheels, a serious upgrade from the front-drive-only models. It won’t just be a track toy, however; Mazda has gotten much better at injecting luxury into the everyday norm, and this new model could be no different. The previous-generation Speed3 was a little harsher than most and was more suited to performance driving, but this new one, if it happens, will be more livable while still delivering thrills. After all this though, it will be down to the enthusiasts to decide if Mazda will build a new Speed3 or not. Mazda has said if people really want them to build the vehicle to let them know. So scream loud, hot hatch
Origin: Mazda is mulling over a new Mazdaspeed3, but might not call it that
This gold Porsche got pulled over by German police for being way too shiny
A gold foil-wrapped Porsche Panamera stopped in Germany for being too shinyMarius Röer / Morgenpost German authorities have ordered a blinged-out golden Porsche off the road for being too shiny. Hamburg’s Morgenpost reported April 12 that the 31-year-old driver was stopped in the northern city last week and told his Porsche Panamera, sporting a reflective gold foil finish, might blind other drivers and was a danger. He was told to remove the foil and re-register the car, but police say he continued to drive it. The driver was stopped again Wednesday and police took his keys, papers and license plate, before the vehicle was towed to a garage. He was fined an unspecified amount and will have to remove the foil to make the car street-legal again. Morgenpost reports a Lamborghini owner nabbed at the same time with similar gold foil complied and removed
Origin: This gold Porsche got pulled over by German police for being way too shiny
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