Cars Model 2013 2014 2015

Sunday, 3 March 2013

GM recalls Chevy Express, GMC Savana over rollaway concern

GM recalls Chevy Express, GMC Savana over rollaway concern The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a recall notice for a small number of General Motors fullsize vans due to possible rollaway concerns. On certain 2013 Chevrolet Express and 2013 GMC Savana models, it is possible to remove the key from the ignition without the shifter being in park.

GM recalls Chevy Express, GMC Savana over rollaway concern

GM recalls Chevy Express, GMC Savana over rollaway concern

GM recalls Chevy Express, GMC Savana over rollaway concern

2013 Chevrolet Express Passenger Van

Only 980 total units are being affected by this recall, and GM is fixing the issue by replacing the ignition cylinder and associated keys. Affected Chevy vans were built during most of November and December while its GMC counterpart was only built for a week in November. The recall goes into effect on January 23, and to find out if your vehicle applies to the recall, the GM and NHTSA contact numbers can be found on the official recall notice, which is posted below.

GM recalls Chevy Express, GMC Savana over rollaway concern

2014 Chevrolet Silverado tows in new configurator, microsite

2014 Chevrolet Silverado tows in new configurator, microsite Judging by your continued enthusiastic response to configurator notices, dear reader, you enjoy speccing out new cars as much as we do. Better still, there tends to be even more ways to personalize, configure and bloat theoretical MSRPs on full-size trucks as there are with more ordinary passenger cars. In addition to trim level, engine and transmission choices, truck buyers usually have to specify items like cab configuration, bed length, number of driven axles, tow packages, gear ratios and all sorts of bits and bobs.

2014 Chevrolet Silverado tows in new configurator, microsite

2014 Chevrolet Silverado tows in new configurator, microsite

2014 Chevrolet Silverado tows in new configurator, microsite

2014 Chevrolet Silverado tows in new configurator, microsite front view

2014 Chevrolet Silverado tows in new configurator, microsite

2014 Chevrolet Silverado tows in new configurator, microsite rear view

2014 Chevrolet Silverado tows in new configurator, microsite taillight

2014 Chevrolet Silverado tows in new configurator, microsite headlight

2014 Chevrolet Silverado tows in new configurator, microsite wheal

2014 Chevrolet Silverado tows in new configurator, microsite

That's why we're pleased to see the DIY specification utility for the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado come alive so soon after this week's Detroit Auto Show debut. While the configurator lacks pricing (General Motors hasn't announced numbers yet) and full options, you can still spec out your half-ton rig, and even print it out or email it to your friends. Beyond the configurator, the new model-specific site is pretty cool, too, with various videos and closer looks at the truck's new features.

2014 Chevrolet Silverado tows in new configurator, microsite

The new Chevrolet pickup range won't be on dealer lots until sometime this summer, so whether you're a building contractor, an avid sportsman or just a guy or gal that loves full-size trucks, you might want to check out the link below to keep your appetite whetted. If you're more of a Sierra fan, well, it looks like you're going to have to wait a while – GMC hasn't updated its site yet.

2014 Chevrolet Silverado tows in new configurator, microsite

Ford confirms launch of new Tourneo vans and Ecosport in Europe for Geneva

Ford confirms launch of new Tourneo vans and Ecosport in Europe for Geneva We've already seen plenty of what the Geneva Motor Show will have in store for us in less than two weeks, but most of the confirmed debuts that were announced so far have generally been luxury or performance cars. Ford, on the other hand, will be showing off a couple of its new family-friendly models for European buyers to enjoy.

Ford confirms launch of new Tourneo vans and Ecosport in Europe for Geneva

Ford confirms launch of new Tourneo vans and Ecosport in Europe for Geneva

Ford confirms launch of new Tourneo vans and Ecosport in Europe for Geneva

Ford confirms launch of new Tourneo vans and Ecosport in Europe for Geneva interior

Ford confirms launch of new Tourneo vans and Ecosport in Europe for Geneva front seat

Ford confirms launch of new Tourneo vans and Ecosport in Europe for Geneva logo

Ford confirms launch of new Tourneo vans and Ecosport in Europe for Geneva shiffter

On the larger side of things, the full range of Tourneo vans (shown above) will be on display, including the introduction of the new Tourneo Courier model, but Ford will also be showing off the all-new EcoSport crossover, which is based on the automaker's Global B platform and will be positioned beneath the Kuga, better known here as the Escape. The subcompact EcoSport was originally unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show last April.

Ford confirms launch of new Tourneo vans and Ecosport in Europe for Geneva

Amazon looking to bring Kindle to your next car

Amazon looking to bring Kindle to your next car Maybe so. The online retailer and digital media monolith recently announced the Amazon Cloud Player, an application for Ford Sync that allows users to stream media from their Amazon Cloud account directly to a Ford vehicle. This foray into automotive technology got the minds at Gigaom.com thinking about what could be next for Amazon. As Kevin Fitchard writes, the logical step is to make audio versions of your Kindle library selections available in your car. As he points out, Amazon has already laid the groundwork for such a move.

Amazon looking to bring Kindle to your next car

Amazon pulled the sheets back on Whispersync for Voice last year. The tech pairs ebooks with an Audible book for a small extra fee, allowing users to either read along with a narrator or switch between audio and text versions on command. Fitchard says it wouldn't be some great leap to apply the same principles to a car, where voice recognition software would allow users to pause or select chapters without ever taking their eyes off of the road.

Amazon looking to bring Kindle to your next car

It all sounds just fine to us, but Amazon hasn't said a thing about such a move. Still, we wouldn't be surprised to see the company come down this road in the near future just the same.

Amazon looking to bring Kindle to your next car

NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue

NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue Owners of Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner, Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan models, listen up. According to a report on Automotive News, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into these four vehicles totaling an estimated 725,000 units. The investigation appears to center around a malfunctioning throttle body on non-hybrid models of the 2005-2012 Escape and 2011-2012 Fusion. With Mercury dying off after the 2011 model year, this probe will also apply to the 2005 through 2011 Mariner and the 2011 Milan. There has been some discussion around the Escape stalling issue for some time now, but this investigation appears to be larger in scope than before.

NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue

NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue

NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue front view

NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue

NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue rear view

NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue

NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue sound system

Though not a recall yet, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 123 complaints of stalling or surging vehicles, while Ford itself has logged 1,472 complaints. The investigation report, which is posted below, seems to indicate that a faulty circuit board for the throttle body could cause the vehicle to go into limp mode, which, according to NHTSA, could cause complaints of both stalling and surging.

NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue

Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids subject of MPG lawsuit in California

Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids subject of MPG lawsuit in California The article states that there are hundreds of C-Max and Fusion Hybrid owners who have joined the lawsuit, but the issue isn't limited to customers. In December, Consumer Reports extensively tested both the Fusion Hybrid and C-Max and found that both hybrids performed significantly worse than their EPA claims. This all comes just a few months after Hyundai and Kia took the unprecedented step of lowering the fuel economy ratings for all of their 2012 and 2013 model-year vehicles.

Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids subject of MPG lawsuit in California

Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids subject of MPG lawsuit in California

Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids subject of MPG lawsuit in California

Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids subject of MPG lawsuit in California grill

Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids subject of MPG lawsuit in California front view

Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids subject of MPG lawsuit in California rear view

Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids subject of MPG lawsuit in California

A California lawsuit over the fuel economy claims for the 2013 Ford C-Max was first reported back in December. Based on the numerous reports we've heard of disgruntled owners failing to get their car's EPA fuel economy ratings on the C-Max and 2013 Fusion Hybrid, we suspected there would be more to this story. The Detroit News is reporting that two California law firms are combining their lawsuits against Ford on this matter for "false and misleading" claims.Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids subject of MPG lawsuit in California

Ford Fusion Energi qualifies for California HOV lane access

Ford Fusion Energi qualifies for California HOV lane access The approval of the Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid for California carpool lanes puts the Blue Oval into the winner's circle; tied with Toyota for the most fuel-efficient models approved for use in the Golden State's HOV lanes.

Ford Fusion Energi qualifies for California HOV lane access

To qualify for the high occupancy program, a vehicle must be classified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) as a super ultra-low emission vehicle and certified by the EPA to offer at least 45 miles per gallon fuel economy on the highway. Of course, any car can qualify when it carries enough people, but that's another issue.

The Fusion Energi meets CARB standards and well exceeds the EPA standards, with an estimated fuel economy rating of 108 MPGe city and 92 MPGe highway, or 100 MPGe combined. Those numbers mean the plug-in hybrid has a one-tank, full-charge range of up to 620 miles, including an electric-only range of up to 21 miles.

Ford Fusion Energi qualifies for California HOV lane access

As of about a month ago, California still had around 30,000 HOV stickers left for plug-in hybrids.Ford Fusion Energi qualifies for California HOV lane access