May Sales, FCA and That Little-Known Company Named Tesla
According to Autodata, U.S. auto sales in May represent a seasonably adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 17.45-million vehicles. . .which would have once been cause for busting out the champagne and party hats but now evokes a bit of a cringe, given that the SAAR was 17.70-million units in May 2015.
Gary S. Vasilash
Transportation Editor, Gardner Business Media
Toyota in “Final Phase” of U.S. Airbag Recalls
Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling 928,000 vehicles in the U.S. under the final phase of its multi-year effort to replace Takata Corp. airbag inflators that can degrade and then explode in a crash.
Toyota Repeats Airbag Recall in U.S.
Toyota Motor Corp. is calling back 135,000 cars in the U.S. to replace already-replaced airbags because they may not inflate correctly.
Daimler Ponders Overhaul of Mercedes Vans Unit
Daimler AG says it is reviewing the product lineup for its Mercedes-Benz Vans unit and pondering other steps to cut fixed costs and streamline the division’s management structure.
NHTSA’s Acting Chief to Step Down by September
The U.S. Dept. of Transportation confirms that Heidi King, acting head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will resign at the end of this month.
First-Round Payouts to Takata Victims Due
A fund set up to compensate people injured by exploding Takata Inc. airbag inflators is ready to award $10 million in first-round payments.
Daimler Posts Net Loss as Revenue Rises
Daimler AG posted a net loss attributable to shareholders of €1.3 billion ($1.4 billion) in the second quarter, reversing a €1.7 billion gain in the same period last year.
Who Made Santa’s Auto List?
Mary Barra.
Gary S. Vasilash
Transportation Editor, Gardner Business Media
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Zetsche Faces Challenge to Daimler Chairmanship
Former Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche faces opposition to becoming chairman from key investors who blame him for the company’s problems.
Daimler Issues a Fourth Profit Warning
Daimler AG has lowered its profit outlook for the fourth time since last summer, warning it will post a €1.6 billion ($1.8 billion) pretax loss in the second quarter.
Honda Airbag Recall Targets 1.68 Million U.S. Vehicles
Honda Motor Co. is recalling 1.68 million of its vehicles in the U.S. to again replace Takata Corp. airbag inflators that could explode in a crash.
Takata Estate Sues Airbag Inflator Supplier
The trust representing bankrupt Takata Corp. claims an airbag inflator supplier provided it with defective inflators.
GM Continues Effort to Avoid Takata Airbag Recall
General Motors Co. is hoping for the fourth consecutive year to be excused from recalling more than 6 million vehicles fitted with Takata airbag inflators that could explode in a crash.
China Recall Targets Airbag Inflators in 360,000 BMWs
MW AG is recalling 360,000 vehicles in China to replace Takata Corp. airbag inflators that could explode, the Xinhua News Agency reports.
Takata to Book $306 Million Loss on Airbag Recalls
Japan’s Takata Corp. says it will record an extraordinary loss of 30 billion yen ($306 million) in the current fiscal year for warranty expenses.The costs are related to a global recall of 3.4 million vehicles by at least four automakers to fix a defective Takata-made airbag component.
AutoBeat Group
Trump Nominee for NHTSA Chief Heads for Senate Approval
Heidi King’s nomination to head the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is heading for expected confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
Honda Confirms Another Death from Takata Airbag Blast
Honda Motor Co. confirms a 16th fatality in the U.S. caused by a Takata Corp. airbag inflator exploding in a crash, Reuters reports.
Honda Repeats Takata Airbag Recall for 1.1 Million Vehicles
Honda Motor Co. says it will again recall 1.1 million of its Honda and Acura brand vehicles in the U.S. to replace explosion-prone airbag inflators made by Takata Corp.
Autoliv, TRW Fined $416 Million for Price Fixing in Europe
The European Commission has fined Autoliv and TRW for conspiring to rig prices for seatbelts, airbags and steering wheels supplied to BMW and Volkswagen Group.
Carmakers Recall Another 1.7 Million Takata Airbag Inflators
Seven overseas carmakers are collectively recalling 1.7 million vehicles to replace Takata Corp. airbag inflators that could explode when triggered by a crash, the Associated Press reports.
Tesla to Replace Takata Airbag Inflators in China
Tesla Inc. is recalling 14,100 of its Model S electric sedans in China to replace passenger-side frontal airbags whose Takata Corp. inflators could explode, says the country’s Administration of Market Regulation.
UPDATE: Automakers to Recall 3.4 Million Cars
Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda say they will recall a combined 3.4 million vehicles worldwide to fix airbag inflators that could deploy with too much force.Tokyo-based Takata Corp., which made the defective parts, says some of the components also were used by BMW and General Motors.
AutoBeat Group
FCA Launches Its Final Takata Airbag Inflator Recall
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV is recalling 1.6 million vehicles—1.4 million of them in the U.S.—to replace passenger-side front airbag inflators that may explode when triggered by a crash.
Toyota Expands Airbag Inflator Recall to 1.7 Million Units
Toyota Motor Corp.’s latest recall to replace explosion-prone Takata Corp. airbag inflators involves 1.7 million vehicles worldwide, 75% of them in the U.S.
Toyota Recalls Another 169,500 Takata Airbag Inflators
Next week Toyota Motor Corp. will begin calling back 169,500 cars, trucks and SUVs in the U.S. to replace airbag inflators whose propellant may explode in a crash.
Ford to Replace Another 953,000 Takata Airbag Inflators
Ford Motor Co. is preparing to replace another 953,000 Takata Corp. airbag inflators in the U.S. and Canada that could explode when triggered by a crash.
Car Recalls in China Drop to 12 Million Units
Chinese carmakers recalled about 12 million vehicles last year, down from 20 million in 2017 and 11 million in 2016.
Toyota to Replace Airbag Inflators in 65,000 Cars, Again
Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling 65,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles in the U.S. to again replace airbag inflators that might explode in a crash.