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Thursday, December 15, 2011

Insurance Institute Gives 115 Vehicles Top Safety Rating.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety today releases its list of Top Safety Picks – the 2012 model-year vehicles with the best crash-test ratings. The auto-safety research group, which is funded by the insurance industry, said 115 vehicles made the list this time around.
The results reflect efforts by car makers to strengthen the roofs of their vehicles to perform well in a roof-crush test that simulates the stress put on the roof in a rollover crash. The Institute added the roof test to its crash-test program that includes front, side and rear impact collisions. To get a top overall rating a vehicle has to perform well enough to receive the group’s best grade of “good” in the crash and in the roof test.
Here is the full list of top-rated models sold by Walker Automotive:

Honda Fit, Honda Civic, Honda CR-Z, Honda Insight, Honda Accord, Honda CR-V, Honda Pilot, Honda Odyssey, Honda Ridgeline, Kia Forte, Kia Soul, Kia Sportage, Kia Sorento, Mitsubishi Lancer, Buick Verano, Buick LaCrosse, Buick Regal, Buick Enclave,  Mercedes C-Class, Mercedes E-Class, Mercedes GLK, Mercedes M-Class, BMW 5 series, BMW X3, GMC Terrain, GMC Acadia.

Full article http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2011/12/15/insurance-institute-gives-115-vehicles-top-safety-rating/

Friday, December 9, 2011

Making the Difference Award

This past week, John Wrubel received the Making the Difference Award from JRTC& Fort Polk on behalf of Walker Honda.  We would like to congratulate John and Walker Honda and thank them for all the work they do with Fort Polk.

"Walker Automotive for you loyal dedication and unwavering commitment.  Thank you for your outstanding contribution toward our goal, and for making our organization stand above the rest." - JRTC & Fort Polk

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

WALKER AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERS WITH LOCAL CHARITIES TO HELP THE NEEDY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


November 14, 2011

ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA


FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: LAWRENCE S. SEARCY, JR.

WALKER AUTOMOTIVE

318-445-6421


WALKER AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERS WITH LOCAL CHARITIES TO HELP THE NEEDY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Walker Automotive is pleased to announce its partnership with several organizations this holiday season to provide food, clothing and toys to the needy.


FOOD BANK AND TOYS FOR TOTS

Walker is happy to support both the Food Bank of Central Louisiana and Toys for Tots this upcoming holiday season. To encourage Central Louisiana residents to make a donation of an unwrapped toy or a non-perishable food item, all five Walker Automotive service locations will offer a 10% discount on parts and service for each donation made at a participating Walker location.

“We understand that there are many people in Central Louisiana in need and are faced daily with providing for their families. Christmas is particularly difficult for the children, and we hope to put a few smiles on some kid’s faces with the items we collect. We hope that by offering the discount, customers will be encouraged to come in for service and make the donation,” Said Lawrence Searcy, Operations Manager at Walker. “This is the third year we have participated and we are thrilled each year to be able to give back to our community.

The “official drop sites” are in the service departments at Walker Buick / GMC, Walker Mercedes, Walker BMW, Walker Honda and Walker Kia. Customers are asked to bring a new and unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots program or five (5) non-perishable food items for the Food Bank. The drop boxes will be clearly marked in the service aisles in all stores.


COATS FOR KIDS AND CARS AND COATS

Walker has partnered with KLAX TV to sponsor Coats for Kids. Customers are asked to bring a new or gently used coat or other outer clothing item to any Walker Automotive location to be donated to local charities. Randall’s Cleaners will launder each item before it is donated.

Additionally, Walker Honda is sponsoring its own coats program with Cars for Coats. A new winter coat will be delivered to children and their mothers currently residing at the Hope House with a donation of $10.00 for every car sold at Walker Honda from November 14 through November 30. The coats will be delivered to the Hope House on December 1, 2011.


ABOUT WALKER AUTOMOTIVE

Walker Automotive was named the 2010 Better Business Bureau Torch Award winner for 2010 which recognizes local businesses for outstanding ethical practices. This was the second time for Walker Automotive to win this prestigious award. Additionally Walker was recently named to the Wards Dealer Business Dealer 500 in June 2011 which ranks dealers nationally based on total revenue. Walker Automotive is currently ranked number 52 by this trade publication. .Walker has consistently made the list for the last decade.

Walker was founded in 1919 as Alexandria Auto Company, Inc. by Foster Walker Sr. Walker Oldsmobile Company and is now run by Foster Walker III. Ninety years after its inception the dealership has expanded from its meager origins to four locations, seven manufacturers, four service departments and a collision center. Walker Automotive offers new and pre-owned vehicles ranging from quality entry level models to German luxury vehicles. Walker employs more than 175 employees. Over the last 9 decades Walker has won numerous national and factory awards for all aspects of its business.


For more information on Toys for Tots, contact Linda Harris at 318-481-1686.
For more information on the Central Louisiana Food Bank contact Jayne Wright-Velez

Executive Director at 318-445-2773.
For more information about the Hope House, call Ariana 318-487-2061.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Toyota Recalls 420,200 Vehicles, Including Camry, Highlander and Lexus RX 400h

TORRANCE, California — Toyota is recalling 420,200 vehicles, including the 2004-'05 Camry, Highlander Sienna and Solara and the 2006 Lexus RX 400h, because of a defective crankshaft pulley on the V6 engine, the company said on Wednesday.

Other vehicles involved in the recall are the 2004 Toyota Avalon and 2006 Highlander Hybrid and the 2004-'05 Lexus ES 330 and RX 330.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not yet posted any information about this latest Toyota recall on its Web site.

"There is a possibility that the outer ring of the crankshaft pulley may become misaligned with the inner ring, causing noise and/or illumination of the discharge warning light," said Toyota in a statement. "If this condition is not corrected, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley and the driver may notice a sudden increase in steering effort."

Toyota said there are no reports of accidents or injuries related to the defect. The recall does not include Toyota vehicles with four-cylinder engines.

The recall is expected to begin in January.

"In the meantime, if an abnormal noise is heard coming from the engine compartment, the owner is asked to make an appointment with any Toyota or Lexus dealer to have the vehicle inspected for this condition," Toyota said.

Owners can contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

Inside Line says: If you own one of the aforementioned Toyota or Lexus vehicles, be aware that a recall is in the works.

http://www.insideline.com/toyota/camry/toyota-recalls-420200-vehicles-including-camry-highlander-and-lexus-rx-400h.html

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

New Kia Rio Gets Rave Reviews

Kia Rio Fun-to-Drive Premium Subcompact


By Christie Schweinsberg

WardsAuto.com, Sep 21, 2011 11:56 AM

SEOUL � Chalk up another win for Kia with the '12 Rio subcompact, one of the last models to be restyled under a product renaissance that has seen the brand transformed from cheap to chic in just 2.5 years.

Starting with the quirky Soul in 2009 through the Sorento and Sportage cross/utility vehicles in 2010 and this year's launch of the Optima midsize sedan, Kia has been on fire.

The auto maker claims the Rio leads the segment in many categories, albeit some shared with its Hyundai sister-brand's Accent, including class-leading horsepower and torque, fuel economy and interior quality.

The differences between the two subcompacts are more pronounced today than in the past, each with its own sheetmetal, interior styling and on-road demeanor.

The Rio has an uncluttered European look, reflecting the influence of chief designer Peter Schreyer, most recently with Audi/Volkswagen.

Where the Accent has vertical taillights, the Rio�s are horizontal, emphasizing the width of the vehicle. Stepping up to the Rio's SX sport grade nets buyers dual chrome exhaust tips. A spoiler is standard across all grades, including the base LX.

The new Rio sports Kia's signature tiger-nose grille, now found on all models except the aging Sedona minivan. The nose is small and thin, with the large lower grille the visual focus in front. Notched headlamps are trapezoidal  quickly becoming the shape du jour for that component  and contributes nicely to the styling.

The Korean auto makers appear to be taking a page from Volkswagen's old playbook by swathing all interior surfaces with soft-touch material.

The Rio is a convincing premium subcompact, with a cushioned dash cover; sturdy, airplane-cockpit-inspired switches; and thoughtfully patterned speaker grilles on the interior doors, which match well with the dot-dash-patterned seat fabric.

However, the hard-plastic pillars don't match up to the Accent's fabric-look pillars. The Accent also wins with its instrument-panel design, compared with the Rio's relatively plain IP.

The Rio proves fun to drive on the expressway en route to Seoul from the summer playground of South Korea's eastern coast. The '12 EX hatchback, riding on 15-in. low-rolling resistance tires, is impressively stable, with German sport-sedan-like composure not seen in an earlier Accent test spin.

However, the engine strains above 2,000 rpm as the small 4-cyl. struggles up the steep hills of the mountainous terrain here. A wimpy tip-in that requires flooring the hatchback's gas pedal for even mild acceleration doesn't help.

Making ample use of the 6-speed automatic's manumatic function and downshifting to fifth gear makes up for this frustrating calibration. Perhaps Kia was stung by criticism of the super-touchy gas pedal in the Forte Koup.

The auto maker says it will introduce stop/start technology on all Rio models early next year. Rios offered in Europe already have the technology, but it proves of little use here, even during Seoul's rush hour.

The few occasions where it was necessary to come to a full stop, the engine turned off as expected, but the restart came with a noticeable shudder. That's in contrast to Japanese hybrids with stop/start that transition smoothly thought the modes.

Still, for a sub-$20,000 car, it's nice to see Kia offering this technology, which should raise the Rio's fuel economy 1 mpg (0.4 km/L). Pricing still is being debated, but executives here say the system, which Kia calls Integrated Stop-Start, should add about $350-$400 to the �'2 Rio's price.

The Rio has a rigid ride thanks to the cost-conscious torsion-beam rear suspension. The front uses a MacPherson strut, with coil springs and a stabilizer bar. Smooth roads here are not so jarring. But imperfect pavement likely will make for a rough ride, especially for buyers who opt for the more athletic SX model, fitted with 17-in. wheels.

The Rio's standard electric power steering has a heavy feel at highway speeds, loosening up slightly in city driving, in keeping with the sporty character of the car.

The Rio returned 37 mpg (6.4 L/100 km) over a 116-mile (187-km) mostly highway route, with an average speed of 43 mph (69 km/h), according to the trip computer. Heavy city traffic near the end of the trip knocked back our observed high of 40 mpg (5.9 L/100 km).

The 5-door Rio is a few inches shorter than the Accent hatchback, almost 1 in. (2.4 cm) wider and a bit taller. Front passengers get a couple inches more legroom in the Rio at the expense of those seated in the second row, the opposite of the Accent.

Both cars share a 101.2-in. (257-cm) wheelbase that is longer than that of the Ford Fiesta but slightly shorter than the best-selling Nissan Versa.

The Rio 5-door goes on sale in the U.S. this month, with the sedan coming later this year, a testament to the growing popularity of hatches in the States. Kia expects the 4-door to appeal more to young women, while the hatch should attract active men.

The LX grade is relatively spartan in terms of amenities but does offer steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and a 60/40 split rear seat. The EX nets buyers power windows and door locks and keyless entry, while the sporty SX grade has power-folding, heated side mirrors with turn-signal indicators.

Options for the EX include stop/start and Kia�s new UVO infotainment system. The SX offers a special package with navigation, a 7-in. (18-cm) touch screen, push-button start, heated front seats, moonroof and leather seat trim.

Thanks to its European good looks, high-quality interior, good performance and fuel economy, the '12 Rio should quickly find itself on buyers' shopping lists, much like the Optima sedan and Sorento CUV have done.



cschweinsberg@wardsauto.com

Walker Collision Center Receives two Compliments


Thanks to Ms. Easterling and Mr. Horsman for these comments.  Congratulations to Collision Center employees Beth Hoff and Ray Lucas.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Treats in Trunks

Walker Automotive announces its Fifth Annual “Treats in Trunks” event - Saturday, October 29, 2011 at Walker Kia in Alexandria.

October 29, 2011 Walker Automotive and Walker Kia are celebrating the 5th annual “Treats in Trunks” Fundraiser benefitting Hayden’s Heroes. All donations and proceeds from the event will be donated to Hayden’s Heroes:

ABOUT HAYDEN’S HEROES

Hayden Parker is a bright, healthy, and active 12 year old boy who lives in Alexandria, Louisiana. Hayden was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, phenylketonuria, ten days after his birth. Hayden is required to have monthly blood draws, numerous genetic clinic visits, and daily medication. Hayden’s Heroes, LLC was created to raise funds for PKU research for a cure and raise awareness of this condition in the community. Eventually, the organization hopes to create a local PKU pantry which would provide low protein foods to under privileged families of Louisiana. Hopefully one day there will a cure for this condition, making Hayden and many others have a better quality of life.

ABOUT PKU

PKU is a rare condition (1 in 10,000 births) in which a baby is born without the ability to properly break down an amino acid called phenylalanine. Phenylalanine is a substance that is found in foods that contain protein. PKU is commonly included in the newborn screening panel at birth. Affected children who are detected and treated early are less likely to develop neurological problems. There is no cure for PKU at this time, but patients who are diagnosed early and maintain a strict diet can lead a normal life. The “diet for life” eliminates all of the very high protein foods since all protein contains phenylalanine. This means that the diet does not allow consumption of meat, fish, poultry, milk, eggs, cheese, ice cream, legumes, nuts, or many products containing regular flour.

Treats in Trunks will be at the following location:

10/29/2011 Walker Kia 4:00 – 6:30 p.m.

1515 Dorchester
Alexandria, La 71301
This year’s event will offer a safe alternative for children of all ages to enjoy Trick or Treating in a fun and safe environment. The event is free to the public and candy will be given out to Children 12 and under from the trunks of the vehicles. Walker employees will sponsor a Cake Walk, game booths, and other fun events. The Alexandria Fire department will be there with a fire truck as will the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office and the S.W.A.T. Team. All of the money raised at Treats in Trunks will go towards Hayden’s Heroes, LLC.
For more information contact Lawrence Searcy at the numbers listed above.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Fall 2011 Total Sale

Our Fall 2011 Total sale is now under full swing.  Check out the deals available at all our locations on our youtube page http://www.youtube.com/user/TheWalkerauto?feature=mhee

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

FBI Warns Online Shoppers of Auto Sales Scams

New York — It's another case of "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
The FBI is warning online auto shoppers to watch out for deals that offer cars at very low prices, then direct unwitting buyers to phony websites designed to separate victims from their money. The agency says more than $44.5 million was stolen through such scams from 2008 to 2010.

The scam

The agency said there are variations on the scheme, but the basic version involves a seller placing an ad on a legitimate website like Craigslist for a car at a below-market price. However, when an interested buyer responds via email, the return email often includes a story of hardship explaining why the price is so low — the seller lost his job, there's a health care emergency or even that the seller is being deployed by the military.

The email also includes a request to move the transaction to another website for security reasons, yet at the same time offers fake "buyer protection" through another company, often identified as eBay Inc. The seller may also pose as a representative of a legitimate company in a live online chat, and will send a real-looking invoice that purports to be from eBay or another major site.

The return email will also ask the consumer to wire the money to pay for the vehicle, and sometimes to fax a receipt showing when that transaction has taken place. The parties then agree on a time and place to deliver the vehicle — but it never arrives.

The red flags

The FBI lists a series of warning signs that the sale is a scam on its website, www.fbi.gov.

Car shoppers should watch out for deals with ultra-low prices, sellers who want to switch websites, claims that buyer protection is available from a website not involved in the transaction, and sellers who won't meet in person to allow the buyer to see the car ahead of time.

Also beware of hard-luck stories that seemingly explain why the car is such a good deal.

And any sale that requires funds to be wired ahead of time should be a big warning sign. Once funds are wired, there is no way to retrieve them.

A bluntly worded warning posted on the "Cars & Trucks" page on Craigslist warns consumers against having a vehicle shipped to them. "Offers to ship a vehicle are virtually 100 percent fraudulent," the site states, and adds that customers should "never use Western Union or a wire transfer to pay for goods — only a scammer will ask for this, and any funds sent will be lost."
The victims

There were nearly 14,000 complaints submitted to the FBI by consumers who have been targeted or fallen for this type of scam between 2008 and 2010.
Jack Christin, associate general counsel at eBay Inc., said the online auction company sees the scammers as "hijacking the eBay name." The company has placed an alert on the top of www.ebaymotors.com warning consumers that their vehicle purchase protection only covers transactions completed on their site. If a seller from another site promises eBay protection programs, the warning says, "Walk away. It is fraudulent."
The eBay Motors Security Center also offers tips for safe online car buying and links to report suspected fraud to the company and the Internet Crime Complaint Center, which is operated by the FBI and other government agencies.
From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110912/AUTO01/109120397/FBI-warns-online-shoppers-of-auto-sale-scams#ixzz1Xr3oc21i

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Buick Verano pricing to start at $23,470

DETROIT -- The price for the upcoming Buick Verano, the brand's first compact in decades, will be $23,470, including shipping charges, General Motors said today.
The price is considerably lower than the Japanese compact sedans that GM is pitting the Verano against in the entry-luxury segment: the Acura TSX ($30,495 with shipping) and the Lexus IS 250 ($34,170 with shipping).
"Given some of the great features the car is going to have, that's about the price we expected," said Sam Slaughter, dealer principal at Sellers Buick-GMC in suburban Detroit, which was the nation's top-selling Buick store last year. "We don't want it to be the el cheapo car that's going after the beer-can market."
Still, the Verano price is "going to be a little tight" with that of the Regal mid-sized sedan, the next car up in Buick's lineup, said Lynn Thompson, a Springfield, Mo., dealer who sells Buick, GMC and Cadillac. The base Regal has a sticker price of $27,530, including shipping.
The Verano, which goes on sale by year end, will be offered in three models. The top model will have a sticker price of $26,850 including shipping. All three models will get a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine combined with a six-speed automatic transmission that delivers 180 hp.
The Verano is hitting the market at a time when more U.S. consumers are shifting to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
GM has touted the Verano's quiet cabin and standard features not typically found on a car in its price range, such as a 7-inch color-touch radio display with IntelliLink, the infotainment system for Buick and GMC.
Higher-end Verano models will receive the same leather used in Buick's flagship LaCrosse sedan, and touches such as push-button start, a heated steering wheel and heated seats that activate automatically in colder temperatures.
The Verano "expands the brand's reach," Tony DiSalle, Buick's U.S. vice president of marketing, said in a statement. "We're inviting new customers into the Buick family, giving us the opportunity and privilege of building longtime Buick loyalty."
GM hopes to build on the success of the Chevrolet Cruze compact, which is built on the same platform as the Verano. The Cruze, which replaced the Cobalt in Chevy's lineup last fall, was the top-selling U.S. compact sedan in July and August.
The Cruze starts at $17,470, including shipping.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110906/OEM04/110909908/1490#ixzz1XCyQjjJn

Monday, August 8, 2011

Honda Recalls 2.5 million Vehicles Globally for Software Issue

DETROIT (Reuters) -- Honda Motor Co. said today it will recall 2.49 million cars, small SUVs and minivans worldwide, including its popular Accord sedan, to repair a software problem that could damage the automatic transmission.

The recall includes 1.5 million vehicles in the United States, 760,000 in China and 135,142 in Canada, the automaker said in a statement.

Globally, the recall affects four-cylinder Accord sedans for the model years 2005 to 2010.

The company is also recalling vehicles in parts of Europe, the Middle East, South America, Mexico and Puerto Rico. The recall did not affect vehicles sold in Honda's home Japan market.

In the United States and Canada, the recall also includes the CR-V crossover for the model years 2007 to 2010 as well as the small SUV Element from 2005 to 2008.

In China, the recall also includes more than 160,000 Odyssey minivans from 2005 to 2009 and about 4,000 Spirior cars, which are based on the European version of the Accord, for the 2010 model year.

Without updating the software, the automatic transmission in these vehicles could be damaged if the driver quickly shifts between gears. That might cause the engine to stall or make it difficult to put the car into park.

This week, Consumer Reports said it was not recommending the 2012 Honda Civic. This has led some industry analysts to ask if that is a symptom of larger problems at the automaker, which ranks fifth in U.S. sales this year.

The company has said it disagreed with the influential U.S. consumer advocate's assessment.

Chris Martin, Honda spokesman at the company's U.S. headquarters in California, said today the recall was not a sign of deeper difficulties.

Martin said the current recall was the result of "extremely unusual circumstances. The far majority of our consumers would never really encounter this. It's software programing. It's not a weakness in the transmission per se."

No injuries or deaths have been reported from this problem, Martin said.

Honda said the problems might arise if the transmission were quickly shifted between the reverse, neutral and drive positions. A driver might do this in an attempt to dislodge a vehicle in mud or snow.

The automatic transmission secondary shaft bearing could be damaged in this scenario.

An update to transmission control module software will ease the transition between gears and reduce the possibility of damage.

Honda will begin informing U.S. consumers at the end of August. It did not disclose expected cost of the recall.

The software update will take about a half-hour, but customers may have to leave their cars at Honda dealerships for a longer period, Martin said.

Read more:   http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110805/RETAIL05/110809880/1493#ixzz1URuUG0fU

Friday, August 5, 2011

Ford told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration it will recall more than 1 million trucks to replace fuel tank straps.

The recall includes these units:
—Ford F-150 from 1997 through 2004 model years.
—Ford F-250 with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 8,500 pounds from 1997 through 1999 model years.
—Lincoln Blackwood from 2002 and 2003 model years.

NHTSA explained these vehicles were manufactured from June 20, 1995 through Aug. 4, 2004.
—Connecticut
—Delaware
—Illinois
—Indiana
—Iowa
—Kentucky
—Maine
—Maryland
—Massachusetts
—Michigan
—Minnesota
—Missouri
—New Hampshire
—New Jersey
—New York
—Ohio
—Pennsylvania
—Rhode Island
—Vermont
—West Virginia
—Wisconsin
—District of Columbia

In a note to Auto Remarketing, Ford spokesperson Wesley Sherwood said the recall that includes a total of 1.22 million units also covers models in Canadian provinces where road salt corrosion is most common.

Both NHTSA and Ford acknowledged that prolonged exposure to road de-icing chemicals may cause severe corrosion of the fuel tank straps that secure the tank to the vehicle.

“The straps can corrode after operation for extended periods of time in high corrosion areas and allow the fuel tank to drop and potentially leak, which could lead to a fire,” Sherwood stated.

“Ford is aware of three vehicle fires and one injury associated with this condition,” he continued.

“We will notify affected owners in mid-September and ask them to take their vehicles to their local dealers who will repair the vehicles at no cost to customers,” Sherwood went on to say. “Customers should work with their dealers to schedule an appointment.”

In the meantime, potentially effected owners can contact Ford at (866) 436-7332 and reference recall campaign No. 11S21

Wednesday’s announcement continues a string of recall campaigns Ford has conducted since the beginning of the year.

Back in March, the automaker revealed it wanted to bring in more than 140,000 trucks and CUVs because of possible fuel odor or leaks from a fuel line in the engine compartment. Auto Remarketing’s recap of that announcement is available here.

Then a month later, Ford ramped up a previous recall of the F-150 stemming from an airbag deployment issue. After voluntarily recalling 144,000 F-150s from the 2005 and 2006 model years in late February, Ford brought back the remaining population of F-150s built between 2003 and 2006, a total of 1.19 million units.

Sherwood reiterated Ford’s stance on any recall.

“Ford is committed to safety and responding quickly to vehicle concerns for our customers,” Sherwood stressed.

“We believe that handling recalls in an open and transparent manner is important to them and a key component of delivering top quality,” he concluded.

Please see an autohrized service center for more details.

Read more: http://www.autoremarketing.com/content/retail/ford-recalls-more-1-million-trucks-replace-fuel-tank-straps?utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=http%3a%2f%2fwww.autoremarketing.com%2fcontent%2fretail%2fford-recalls-more-1-million-trucks-replace-fuel-tank-straps&utm_campaign=Ford's+Newest+F-150+Recall%2c+July+Used+Sales+Spike+%26+Manheim's+Mid-Year+Report

Chrysler recalls 300,000 minivans for airbag defect

WASHINGTON (Bloomberg) -- Chrysler Group LLC is recalling about 300,000 Dodge and Chrysler brand minivans in North America, citing a risk of airbags deploying when not needed and without warning.

The vehicles in this recall are the same ones involved in an earlier recall to replace a heating and cooling system drain grommet, the automaker said in a document posted today on the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Web site.

Chrysler is recalling model-year 2008 Chrysler Town and Country and Voyager minivans and Dodge Caravans, it said on the NHTSA site. Because of the earlier defect, moisture may have leaked into the air-bag controls, the company said today in a statement on its Web site.

Chrysler said it doesn't know of any accidents or injuries related to the airbag defect.

"Despite the lack of field reports, we believe it is in the best interest of our customers to replace these modules to ensure the proper functionality of the minivan's advanced safety system," David Dillon, Chrysler's head of product investigations and campaigns, said in the statement.

For more information please visit an authorized service department for detials.

Read more:  http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articleAID=/20110804/RETAIL05/308049852/1492

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Even Car Purists Can Appreciate New M-Class

GREENOUGH, MT – Many years before the term “Carmageddon” warned of an epic traffic jam in southern California, it could have referred to a trend that was sweeping through the ranks of luxury auto makers.
Purists figured the end was near when BMW, Lexus, Audi, Lincoln, Cadillac, Volvo and later on Porsche decided their car-only portfolios needed something more in the way of utility and off-road capability.
It all started with Mercedes-Benz and the M-Class, which went on sale in September 1997 (codename W163) with great fanfare, produced in a shiny new plant outside Tuscaloosa, AL.
The market hasn’t been the same since.

Porsche, for instance, sells nearly as many Cayenne cross/utility vehicles as it sells cars – that’s 911, Cayman, Boxster and Panamera, combined. The X3 and X5 CUVs are among BMW’s four best-selling vehicles. The Cadillac SRX CUV is threatening the CTS for top-selling honors within the brand this year.
Car loyalists might consider luxury utes an affront to civilization, but CUVs and body-on-frame SUVs can be incredibly profitable (especially when produced domestically), and the suits can’t be blamed for wanting part of the action.
And Mercedes-Benz, the German giant that made it OK to capitalize on America’s emerging interest in spaciousness, versatility and a high seating position, arrives in September with an all-new M-Class destined to uphold both its legacy and place in the market.
What makes the new ML special are two new or significantly improved engines; advanced suspension controls to enhance ride and handling; upgraded interiors; and acute attention to chassis engineering.
The M-Class has never been a repository for warmed-over technology, and this latest generation carries on that tradition.
But at first glance, the ’12 ML350 and diesel ML350 BlueTEC don’t appear to be significantly different from their predecessors, based on the second-generation M-Class that arrived in 2005 (codename W164).
The new model (W166) picks up the identical design of the tapered C-pillar and applies a similar beltline that descends toward the front. The shape of the greenhouse and roofline and raking of the windshield and side windows appear to be unaltered.
Changes to the front end would be considered subtle, if not for the smoother 3-bar grille replacing three large perforated slats in the old ML. The new grille is slightly more shallow, but the tri-star emblem remains in the same location – smack in the middle.
The new “eagle-eye” headlamps also are more dramatic, narrow and angular and integrate stylish amber light bars. LED daytime running lamps are packaged within the bumper. The new wheel wells are smaller and less flared and hug the handsome standard 19-in. alloy wheels much more tightly than the previous body style.
From the back side, the ML looks completely new and much more sporty, thanks to a clever bumper design and brushed-aluminum skid plate that hide the dual exhaust. The backlight is angled more steeply, and the beltline flows neatly around the back.
The sheet metal on the liftgate is less bulbous and now is creased in just the right places to lend a clean, horizontal design that nicely frames LED taillamps that wrap tightly around the corners.
Under the hood, Mercedes offers two engines that perform admirably: an all-new 302-hp 3.5L direct-injection gasoline V-6 and 240-hp 3.0L BlueTEC turbodiesel, available in all 50 states.

No hybrid is in the plans, although the ML450 Hybrid was available previously. The potent 4.6L BiTurbo V-8 will be offered in 2012.

Both gas and diesel V-6s are more powerful and fuel-efficient than their predecessors and integrate new technology. So the question ultimately is: which is better? Whether accelerating hard on an uphill grade to pass a gravel hauler or cruising steadily along, both engines get the job done well. Both are amazingly smooth and quiet, yet responsive and emotive when pressed into service, and can sprint from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 7.3 seconds.
But having spent the majority of our time driving the diesel on highways and 2-lane roads that weaved through the Rocky Mountains and the Continental Divide, the diesel is better for four reasons:
•It clobbers the gas engine nearly 2-to-1 in available torque, which is what matters most to drivers. Its 455 lb.-ft. (617 Nm) peak arrives early, at 1,600 rpm and holds on until 2,400 rpm. Dialing up 120 mph (193 km/h) on a remote Montana highway is no problem at all.

•The new gas engine is sophisticated and all, but the bottom-line output is not all that impressive on paper, at 302 hp. Engines of similar size in less-expensive vehicles made that much, or more, several years ago.

•Combined fuel economy comes in at 22.5 mpg (10.4 L/100 km) for the diesel and 19.5 mpg (12 L/100 km) for the gas V-6. During a 181-mile (291-km) loop, we averaged 23.5 mpg (10 L/100 km) with the diesel, according to the trip computer. It’s worth noting diesel fuel is priced currently in line with premium unleaded gasoline.

•If the ML truly is being used as Mercedes intended – for road trips and adventures and hauling lots of stuff, maybe even a small trailer – the diesel will handle the load more capably. As a low-miles grocery getter, the $1,500 premium for the diesel is probably wasted money, so the gas V-6 would be better.
With either engine, an excellent 7-speed automatic transmission (carried over from the previous ML) sends power seamlessly to all four corners via 4Matic all-wheel drive, which has been standard on all three generations of M-Class.



The transmission integrates a new torque converter with an advanced lock-up clutch and improved damper de-coupling for better fuel efficiency.
Understanding the 4-wheel independent suspension offerings requires total concentration, although the basic setup carries over: double-wishbone geometry up front and 4-arm multi-link at the rear.
Upgrading to the optional Dynamic Handling Package costs $5,150 and includes AirMatic air suspension, which uses air bladders instead of coil springs, as well as air springs, to lower the vehicle at high speeds for better handling.
Off-road, the suspension can be switched to raise the vehicle about 3 ins. (7.6 cm) for more ground clearance.
The package includes an adaptive damping system that can change compression and rebound damping every 0.05 seconds in adjusting to road conditions. The driver can switch between a “sport” setting for a firm ride and “comfort” for more compliance.
Another feature of the air-suspension package is the new Active Curve System, which uses electronic sensors, an engine-driven hydraulic pump and electronically controlled hydraulic valves to reduce body lean.
The stabilizer bars with this package are “split” in the center and connected to rotary hydraulic actuators that are inactive when the vehicle is traveling in a straight line.
In curves, the actuators are pressurized to counteract lateral pitching, reducing the natural tendency for the body to lean in curves.

With so much going on within the suspension, it’s hard to tell which feature is doing what, even while paying close attention. Suffice to say the ML stayed firmly planted during our highway jaunts, but we did not experience the base suspension.
An On & Off Road Package will be available next year that uses six transmission modes to optimize driving dynamics.
The M-Class also is the latest in a long list of newly launched vehicles to use electric power steering. The electro-mechanical rack-and-pinion unit integrates speed-dependent power assist and enables fuel savings by requiring electrical power only when the wheel is turned.
The steering feel is precise, firm and comfortable, whether on the highway or in parking maneuvers.
The interior of the M-Class reflects iterative rather than wholesale changes. There’s more real-wood trim (eucalyptus or burl walnut), colors are richer and the 7-in. (17.7-cm) central display screen has been moved up in between two air vents, rather than below them in the old model.
Cupholders have been reconfigured; seats offer better bolstering; and air vents now are square or rectangular instead of round.
But the overall layout of controls, switches and gauges is virtually identical to that of the outgoing model. Fit-and-finish in the pre-production models evaluated was excellent.
Three adults fit comfortably in the back seat, which folds flat to make room for loads of cargo.
The previous interior wasn’t so bad, and Mercedes was right not to rip it up.
What’s not to like about the new ML?
The Comand human-machine interface is not very reconfigurable and can’t display both audio and navigation information simultaneously. This HMI has been in Mercedes vehicles for several years now and feels dated at a time when consumer electronics change every month.
Adaptive cruise control is not standard, neither are cooled front seats or heated rear seats. Heck, the Hyundai Elantra is a third the price and offers rear heated seats.
Which brings us to pricing. The M-Class might be priced competitively against the X5, but the SRX and Lexus RX remain better values. The cheapest model at the media event here stickered at $56,825; the most expensive was $77,115.
Value-conscious buyers, even at this level, are paying attention. Through the first six months, the RX and SRX, respectively, are the best-selling vehicles in Ward’s Middle Luxury CUV segment.
No.3 is the X5, which received a facelift last year, followed closely by the M-Class. Not bad for a vehicle at the end of a 6-year cycle.
The X5 offers an optional third row, but M-Class does not – yet. It’s in the works, Mercedes says.
Job One in Alabama for the new M-Class, which is exported worldwide, was July 20, and Mercedes marked the occasion by announcing a $2 billion investment to expand for the launch of the next-generation GL CUV, as well as the C-Class sedan, which begins assembly in 2014.
Admittedly, the level of excitement about a new M-Class is a rung or two below that generated by a new Mercedes SLK roadster or CLS 550 4-door coupe.
But the M-Class is the third best-selling vehicle in the Mercedes stable and deserves recognition.
After all, in the world of luxury CUVs and traffic jams, “Carmageddon” hasn’t been all that bad.

http://wardsauto.com/testdrive/car_purists_appreciate_110801/

Monday, July 11, 2011

WALKER AUTOMOTIVE AND BMW USA TEAM UP TO SUPPORT THE UNITED STATES OLYMPIC TEAM

On Monday, July 11, 2011 Walker BMW and BMW USA will host a special event to raise money for Team USA. This event is a test drive campaign that invites Americans to support Team USA by test driving one of several new BMW models. For every person who drives a vehicle at the event, Walker BMW will donate $10.00 to the United States Olympic Committee to fund Team USA.

As a special treat, attendees of the event will be able to meet Miguel Pate, a track and Field Olympian from St. Francisville, Louisiana. Mr. Pate participated in the 2008 Olympic Games and ended the 2008 season ranked #1 in the U.S. by Track and Field News. Mr. Pate’s biography is attached and he will be available for interviews at the event.

During the event, participants will have the option of driving several different vehicles including the BMW 328xi sedan, 535xi sedan, 750Li xDrive, X3 xDrive35i, the beautiful 650i convertible and competitive models from Mercedes and Lexus. In addition, each attendee who completes a post-event survey will receive a BMW / Olympic hat branded with the BMW Roundel and the 5-Olympic Rings.

Walker BMW is especially proud to be hosting this event at its all-new 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art building on Coliseum Boulevard. This is the first event to be held at the building and Walker welcomes anyone who may be interested in looking inside.

Walker Automotive was named the 2010 Better Business Bureau Torch Award winner for 2010 which recognizes local businesses for outstanding ethical practices. This was the second time for Walker Automotive to win this prestigious award. Additionally Walker was recently named to the Wards Dealer Business Dealer 500 in June 2011 which ranks dealers nationally based on total revenue. Walker has consistently made the list for the last decade.

Walker was founded in 1919 as Alexandria Auto Company, Inc. by Foster Walker Sr. Walker Oldsmobile Company and is now run by Foster Walker III. Ninety years after its inception the dealership has expanded from its meager origins to four locations, 7 manufacturers, four service departments and a collision center. Walker employs more than 175 employees. Over the last 9 decades Walker has won numerous national and factory awards for all aspects of its business. Walker Automotive offers new and pre-owned vehicles ranging from quality entry level models to German luxury vehicles.

BMW: A Driving Obsession

CNBC goes inside one of the most successfully managed brands and companies in the world — BMW. Its familiar blue and white logo stands as the symbol of prestigious, high-performance, luxury cars. A one-time aircraft engine manufacturer that eventually moved to motorcycles and offbeat sports sedans, BMW today commands brand recognition and respect that is the envy of the commercial world.


CNBC Correspondent Carl Quintanilla takes viewers inside BMW’s secretive Tech Center, where teams of engineers obsess over the technical and mechanical details that the company says justify its cars’ high prices. Acoustic specialists consider every sound in the car, from the exhaust note to the window motors; ergonomic engineers labor over the stunningly complex mechanical labyrinth that is a modern seat; and crash specialists deliberately wreck a parade of high-dollar vehicles to improve safety.

BMW is a company enjoying success, but also facing significant challenges. Growing environmental and political pressures are making it increasingly tough to market high-performance cars, but BMW is staking its future on its ability to build vehicles that are both sustainable and fun. BMW also faces daunting competition, not only from other German manufacturers like Audi, but also from carmakers in Japan, Korea — and soon, China.

BMW: A Driving Obsession is the fascinating story behind a once small, struggling company that transformed itself into a global luxury car powerhouse, and is now going flat out to maintain its edge.
 
For Video's and more information check out the link at:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/43395673?__source=vtyinsidebmw&par=vty

Friday, July 8, 2011

STUDY: 56 MPG Standard by MY2025 to Cost 220,000 jobs

FENTON, MI (July 7, 2011)—A white paper from the Michigan-based Defour Group finds that a significant number of auto sector jobs would be lost if the federal government’s proposed fuel economy mandates for Model Year (MY) 2017-2025 vehicles were implemented. Federal regulators, currently meeting with automakers behind closed doors, are considering increasing the standards to as high as 56 mpg to 62 mpg over that time period.


Dean Drake, the paper’s author, confirmed a U.S. Energy Information Administration estimate that automakers would sell 2.4 million (approximately 14 percent) fewer new vehicles if standards are set to hit 62 mpg by 2025.

“Clearly, sales losses of this magnitude could be expected to lead to job losses in the industry,” Drake said.

Drake bases the study’s job loss numbers on the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) analysis of the 2012-2016 MY CAFE standard that said that one job would be lost by the OEMs and their suppliers for every 11.3 new vehicle sales which fail to sell. The study also calculates dealerships job losses as a result of fewer new car and truck purchases.

PROPOSED TARGET (MY17-25)    LOST SALES        LOST JOBS (OEM, Supplier, Dealership)

62 mpg (6% per year)                         2.4 million                 293,100
56 mpg (5% per year)                         1.9 million                 220,000

“These projected job losses will NOT be offset by the development of new technologies creating so called ‘green jobs’ as many contend,” Drake added. “The advanced technology vehicles such as electrics will only make up a small part of the new vehicle fleet. Plus there is no guarantee that these new jobs would stay in the United States.”

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

WALKER AUTOMOTIVE LISTED AS NUMBER 52 ON WARD’S DEALER MAGAZINE LIST OF NATION’S TOP DEALERSHIPS

This year marks the 25th Annual Dealer 500 rankings published by “Wards Dealer Business” Magazine. The list is a comprehensive ranking of the 500 biggest automobile dealerships in the country. According to the magazine one constant over the last quarter century is that the dealers who make the list are “among the best in the business. They are pros who use time-tested best practices, yet are nimble enough to adapt to changing times and markets.” Walker Automotive is on the list for the fifth straight year and ranks number 52 for 2010.
The annual list ranks dealerships according to departmental revenue, sales and total dealership revenue. Only one other dealership in Louisiana was recognized and Walker was the only dealer in central Louisiana named.
“We are pleased to have made the Wards 500 list again this year”, said W. Foster Walker, President of Walker Automotive. We certainly had to adapt to changes in our business last year, but we still managed to grow our business in almost all departments.” Walker said. Overall, revenue grew 2% over last year which is great considering the turmoil that marked the industry in 2010 as several major manufacturers struggled to come back from bankruptcy. “Our most significant increase came in pre-owned vehicle sales where we saw an increase of 37% in total units over the year before. Likewise, our Service, Parts, Body Shop and Accessories increased 4% over the same period last year. New cars grew modestly, but that is not surprising considering the lack new inventory. We simply adapted to sell more quality late model or certified used vehicles. I credit a tremendous management team in all departments that figured out how to grow our business in a tough selling environment.” Walker said.
Walker was also recognized separately in the 2011 magazine as one of the 2011 Ward’s Dealer 500 new and used vehicle volume leaders. Walker delivered more than 3,000 new and pre-owned vehicles in central Louisiana. Walker has also been recognized by Ward’s as a leader in helping customers finance their vehicles and as a used vehicle leader in 2009.
“We are committed to our business, the Central Louisiana community, and our customers. Our most recent commitment to our business is the new Walker Mercedes and BMW building on Highway 28 West next to Walker Honda.” The new facility is a state of the art 30,000 square foot sales and service location for both Mercedes-Benz and BMW. “Our entire organization is extremely proud of this new facility and we expect this addition to assist us in our continued growth in Alexandria.” Walker said.
Mr. Walker also emphasized that as a fourth generation family company, Walker Automotive always tries to do what is in the best interest of its customers. “We remain committed to serving our customers, being an active community partner, executing business strategies that allow for continued growth, and delivering new and used vehicles to happy customers. "
Walker was founded in 1919 as Alexandria Auto Company, Inc. by Foster Walker Sr. Walker Oldsmobile Company and is now run by Foster Walker III. Ninety years after its inception the dealership has expanded from its meager origins to four locations, 7 manufacturers, four service departments and a collision center. Walker employees more than 175 employees. Over the last 9 decades Walker has won numerous national and factory awards for all aspects of its business. Walker Automotive offers new and pre-owned vehicles ranging from quality entry level models to German luxury vehicles.

W. FOSTER WALKER III ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN OF THE LOUISIANA AUTOMOBILE DEALERS’S ASSOCIATION

W. Foster Walker III was elected Chairman of the Board of the Louisiana Automobile Dealer’s Association at its Annual Convention on June 19, 2011. Mr. Walker is President of Walker Automotive in Alexandria. Mr. Walker has previously held the positions of Chairman Elect, Treasurer, and District 16 Representative for the Association. The board of directors for the Association is governed by 19 dealers elected from 14 districts in the state. The Association represents approximately 325 automobile dealers in Louisiana and more than a hundred Associate and Subsidiary members.
“I am honored to have been elected as Chairman from my business peers. It is truly an honor to receive the support the other automobile dealer members in the state.” Walker said. “The sale of vehicles in this state greatly affects the general economy through our collection and remittance of sales taxes, corporate taxes and payroll tax. The association members employ more than 12,000 employees throughout the state with average salaries in excess of $45,000. As a member of this vital board, I hope to be able to be a part of the overall economic recovery of our industry in Louisiana.”
Founded in 1937, the LADA provides products and services to enhance the operations of its member dealers. The Association promotes the automotive trade in the state, seeks legislation to benefit the automotive trade and the public consumers of automotive products, and compiles factual data and information which may be useful and valuable to the automotive trade.
Walker Automotive was named the 2010 Better Business Bureau Torch Award winner for 2010 which recognizes local businesses for outstanding ethical practices. This was the second time for Walker Automotive to win this prestigious award. Additionally Walker was recently named to the Wards Dealer Business Dealer 500 in June 2011 which ranks dealers nationally based on total revenue. Walker has consistently made the list for the last decade.
Walker was founded in 1919 as Alexandria Auto Company, Inc. by Foster Walker Sr. Walker Oldsmobile Company and is now run by Foster Walker III. Ninety years after its inception the dealership has expanded from its meager origins to four locations, 7 manufacturers, four service departments and a collision center. Walker employs more than 175 employees. Over the last 9 decades Walker has won numerous national and factory awards for all aspects of its business. Walker Automotive offers new and pre-owned vehicles ranging from quality entry level models to German luxury vehicles.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

A Good Time to Trade in That Gently Used Car

That three-year-old car sitting in the driveway may not seem so exciting anymore, but to some car dealers it could be gold.


Informed shoppers with well-maintained cars to trade in have an unusual opportunity to take advantage of what industry analysts say is a record peak in used-car prices. Resale and trade-in values for late-model vehicles in good condition have been rising all year as demand has outstripped supply, particularly for fuel-efficient models.

Among the forces driving up used-car values is a shortage of many popular Japanese models due to production slowdowns following the March earthquake. And the sales collapse during the 2008 and 2009 financial crisis means fewer two- and three-year-old cars are available.

The National Automobile Dealers Association last week raised values again on many small- and medium-size cars in its latest Used Car Guide, which is widely used by dealers when deciding what to offer for cars taken as trade-ins.

A one-year-old Honda Civic that NADA's Used Car Guide valued at $14,275 in May is now estimated to be worth $15,950. "The same car," says Jonathan Banks, NADA's executive auto analyst.

KBB.com, the Web home of the Kelley Blue Book used-vehicle-pricing franchise, says a three-year-old Toyota Prius is worth, on average, $17,750 as a trade-in, up $6,050 from the value of a three-year-old Prius a year ago.

The market isn't booming for all types of vehicles. Large sport utility vehicles, such as a Ford Expedition or Chevrolet Tahoe are down less than 1% from a year ago, according to NADA's guide. Still, they are up nearly 5% from the start of the year.

"We have seen extremely strong pricing," says Jeremy Meyer, national manager for Audi's U.S. certified pre-owned sales operation. And "consumers are willing to pay those higher prices," he says.

Manheim Consulting, an arm of the big Manheim auto-auction business, has for years published an index of used-vehicle values. In May, that index, using a scale with a baseline set at 100 for January 1995, was 127.8—a record high.

For consumers, this is now a game of arbitrage and information gathering. Prices for many new vehicles are up, but not as much as values for in-demand, late-model used cars.

"The best case scenario is that you have a trade-in that is somewhat gas efficient, and you are ready to trade for a larger vehicle," says Jesse Toprak of Truecar.com, an auto-shopping and data site.

For people who have a leased car that's close to the end of its term, now is the time to figure out whether that car is worth more than the residual value assigned in the lease contract.

For example, a 2008 BMW 3-series has an average residual value of about $17,450, but a trade-in value of close to $20,000, according to data compiled by Truecar.

NADA's Mr. Banks says anyone with a leased car that's due to be returned should investigate the car's market value—using the online NADA guide and shopping sites such as KBB.com, Edmunds.com, Cars.com or Ebay. Then be ready to bargain with the dealer to get a higher value than the one stipulated in the contract.

"Don't just hand over your keys," says Mr. Banks.

Realizing the extra value in a leased vehicle can be tricky, however. Selling a leased car to another individual could require buying it from the leasing company, then reselling it, and possibly paying sales tax.

Sergio Stiberman, chief executive of LeaseTrader.com, a site that enables the exchange of auto leases, says the easiest way is to use the difference between the purchase-option price written into the lease contract and the car's current market value as equity in a trade-in. The dealer can then work out the transaction with the leasing company and resell the car for a profit.

Dealers are stepping up efforts to snag high-quality used cars, while eyeing their inventories to make sure they don't get caught with too many vehicles at the top of the curve.

At Group One Automotive, a big Houston-based dealer chain, used-car managers are scouring Craigslist, and emailing past customers to find more of the cars that are selling best. But the company is keeping its used-car inventory at or below 30 days' supply.

"We have to have rational exuberance," says company spokesman Pete DeLongchamps.

Will used-car prices come back to earth? Most likely, though telling when is educated guess work, not science. Gasoline prices are edging down, which could cool demand for used hybrids and rejuvenate interest in second-hand SUVs.

Japanese car makers say they are ramping up production as they work out the problems getting critical parts from suppliers damaged by the earthquake. Once their factories are rolling, industry executives and analysts expect Toyota Motor Corp. and the other big Japanese brands will come out swinging with discount deals to get back the market share they've lost. The cheaper new cars get, the more likely used-car prices will moderate as well.

A longer-term factor in the current scarcity of late-model used cars is that so few cars were leased during the credit crisis and recession of 2008 and 2009. Higher sales in the past year will mean more supply for the used-vehicle market of a 2013 or 2014.

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052702304474804576371314168816464-lMyQjAxMTAxMDAwNzEwNDcyWj.html

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Honda expands U.S. airbag recall to include about 833,000 autos

LOS ANGELES -- Honda Motor Co. said it will again expand a U.S. recall of Honda and Acura brand models to fix flawed airbag components.


The company will inspect model year 2001 to 2003 vehicles that may have had the original driver's air-bag module replaced with a flawed service part, Honda said today in an e-mailed statement.

As a result, the recall now includes an additional 833,000 vehicles, the company said. Honda "determined that a number of affected service part air bags were installed in these vehicles in the process of a collision repair or other vehicle service," according to the statement.

"Owners of all potentially affected vehicles are being notified because Honda has not been able to determine which specific vehicles received one of those parts."

The faulty airbag inflators are at risk of deploying too forcefully and causing the inflator's casing to rupture, potentially leading to injuries or fatalities for vehicle occupants, the company said.

Customer notification is to begin late this month. Vehicles covered by the action include some 2001 and 2002 Accord and Civic cars; 2002 Odyssey minivans; 2002 and 2003 CR-V sport-utility vehicles; and some 2002 and 2003 Acura 3.2 TL sedans and 2003 Acura 3.2 CL coupes, the company said.

Honda last year recalled 437,763 Honda and Acura models to inspect for faulty airbag modules at risk of deploying too forcefully.

The company has said airbag systems were supplied by Japan's Takata Corp. Honda's U.S. unit is based in Torrance, California.

If you have any questions or concerns about your Honda, please contact the Walker Honda Service Department at 318-445-6677.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Toyota recalls trucks for rear drive shaft defect

Automotive News

April 26, 2011 - 1:31 pm EST


DETROIT (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp. is voluntarily recalling 51,000 Tundra pickup trucks for the model year 2011 due to a potential defect in the rear drive shaft.

The company estimates that 0.05 percent of the vehicles recalled may have a component-- a slip yoke-- that could break because of improper casting.

There has been one slip yoke failure, but no injuries or accidents linked to the problem, Toyota said in a statement.

Owners will be notified by mail as early as next week. Dealers will perform an inspection estimated to take 10 minutes. If the rear drive shaft needs to be replaced, the repair will be done at no cost to the owner, Toyota said.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Newest Toyota Recall

Toyota to recall 308,000 RAV4s, Highlanders for airbag fix


Automotive News
April 21, 2011 - 1:20 pm EST


UPDATED: 4/21/11 4:17 pm ET

DETROIT (Reuters) -- Toyota Motor Corp. said today it would recall about 308,000 RAV4 and Highlander SUVs because of the risk airbags sensors could fail and cause the curtain airbags to deploy.

About 214,000 RAV4s and 94,000 Highlanders and Highlander HVs will be recalled from the 2007 and 2008 model years, according to a company statement.

The recall only affects vehicles sold in North America, Toyota said.

Toyota said owners of the vehicles would be notified of the recall by mail in May.

Toyota said that, in cases where two sensors fail at almost the same time, the side curtain airbags designed to protect passengers in a rollover accident could be inflated outside such an accident.

In cases where just one of the sensors fails, the airbags warning light will be activated, the automaker said

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Honda Insight Sales Increase

Honda Insight Hybrid Sparking U.S. Demand

By Christie Schweinsberg

WardsAuto.com, Apr 14, 2011 9:01 AM


WASHINGTON, – After two relatively lackluster years on the market, the second-generation Honda Insight hybrid-electric vehicle is seeing a surge in sales thanks to a perfect storm of high gas prices, increased advertising and the spring-car-buying season.

March sales, alone, spiked 62.2%, compared with year-ago, to 2,782 units, Ward’s data shows.

That’s the biggest monthly increase for the latest Insight since March 2010, when deliveries climbed 179.2% compared with March 2009, when the new model launched in the U.S.

The Insight’s sales rise last month outpaced the 52.0% increase for the Toyota Prius, although the Prius remains the hybrid heavy-hitter, with 42,779 units sold in the year’s first quarter vs. 6,058 for the Insight.

“You’ve heard this bromide before, (but) when fuel prices go up, people think of Honda,” American Honda Executive Vice President John Mendel tells Ward’s in an interview here.

“We also have a pretty strong promotion going in terms of advertising (the entire Honda lineup),” called The Really Big Thing, he says. “The dealers seem to be getting increased traffic from that. (Plus), it’s a spring market, customers are coming back (and) a 13.1 million-unit industry is nothing to sneeze at.”

After discontinuing the original 2-seat Insight in 2006, Honda announced the next-gen version in 2008, during the last gas-price spike in the U.S. that drove consumers to seek fuel-efficient vehicles as never before. In May 2008, alone, Honda sold more than 50,000 Civic compact cars.

Riding the wave, the auto maker initially called for 90,000 Insight sales in the U.S., before adjusting the figure downward numerous times as gas prices fell back and the recession caused new-car sales to plunge. Last year, Insight sales amounted to 20,962 units, just 1.9% higher than the 20,572 sold in 2009, when the hybrid went on sale in its current form.

Japan parts shortage could stall Honda Insight’s recovery.

This year’s parts shortage in Japan could slow the HEV’s upward climb.

Mendel says if a situation arises where shared parts are at a minimum, Honda likely will prioritize production of its best-selling-models: the next-gen Civic launching later this month; CR-V compact cross/utility vehicle and Odyssey minivan.

Although Mendel leaves the Insight off the list, Honda resumed building the hybrid April 11 at its plant in Suzuka, Japan, exactly one month since the magnitude 9.0 earthquake hit the island nation.

Parts shortages delayed the restart of production at Suzuka numerous times, and their scarcity is expected to continue to keep the industry in flux through the coming months.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Ford Expands F-150 Recall by 1 Million Pickups

WASHINGTON -- Ford Motor Co. and U.S. safety regulators have agreed to a greatly expanded recall of the best-selling vehicle in North America, the Ford F-150 pickup truck.

The recall is for a possible short circuit that could cause airbags to deploy unexpectedly and involves nearly 1.2 million F-150s and some Lincoln Mark LT vehicles, said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall covers F-150s from the 2004 to 2006 model years.

Previously, 144,000 of the pickup trucks were recalled. The expansion comes after talks between the automaker and safety regulators in Washington.

Ford, in an e-mailed statement, said its review found the airbag deployments were linked to a "wiring chafe" condition.

"If a wiring chafe occurs, the airbag warning lamp will illuminate for an extended period of time prior to any risk of deployment, alerting owners to service their vehicle," Ford said. "We urge all of our customers to seek service immediately for an airbag warning lamp that is illuminated."


See full article at:
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110414/RETAIL05/110419932/1254

Monday, April 11, 2011

Some services are unnecessary, or better left to dealers and more sophisticated repair shops

by: Tom Torbjornsen
http://autos.aol.com/article/quick-lube-unneeded-services/


Have you ever gone to a quick-lube place for an oil change and, while you're waiting in the lobby for your car, the service bay/sales person informs you that a certain service(s) "must" be performed on the vehicle immediately to avert a disaster of immense proportion?


It's a high-pressure moment. You think: I can get this done now, and not have to make an appointment at the dealership. I can save money here, too. And I want to take care of my car, which I rely on.

But here is the problem: Most of us do not know much about these products or services before being confronted with the questions and offers. And we hate to come across as ignorant about our car. Many of us can relate to this scenario.

The "recommended service" they advise usually includes one or more of the following:

-High mileage oil
-Fuel system cleaning
-Brake fluid flush
-Transmission flush
-Transfer case or differential fluid change

Knowledge is power. So let's look at each service, the validity of the claim, and whether or not you should follow the advice.

Does Your Vehicle Need "High Mileage" Oil?

High mileage oils supposedly are formulated with more robust additive packages for better lubrication and rust inhibition, along with a nourishing agent to bring old, hardened oil seals back to life. Well, if that's true, why didn't the company initially give me its best formulation so that my car would get more mileage out of the engine in the first place? I consulted an expert in the industry to gather more information. Dan Watson, a Certified Lubrication Specialist (STLE) and publisher of www.lubedepot.com and www.maxxtorque.com (an E-Zine about diesel power) sent me some bullet points to consider when offered "high mileage oil."

-High mileage oils are fortified with additional additives for improving the ability of the oil to deal with byproducts of combustion (otherwise known as "crud.") and enhance engine cleanliness.

-The age of the engine has nothing to do with the protection needed to maintain the engine and prevent wear.

-The best procedure is to start out with oil that doesn't break down and leave sludge and varnish in the engine in the first place.

-Start the engine out from day-one using high quality synthetic engine oil and you will have superior protection and cleanliness from the start. You will never need a "better oil" when you get to a higher mileage.

-It is important to note all synthetic oils are not the same. Look for synthetic oils like AMSOIL or Mobil One; these oils have extremely robust additive packages designed for longer oil-change intervals. This insures you are getting maximum protection and superior cleanliness regardless of vehicle mileage.

Bottom-Line: Use high-quality synthetic oil from the start in a new car. If you are driving a used car that you purchased, start using these same sorts of synthetic oils for maximum protection. Don't pay for something the attendant is calling "high mileage" oil, which could mean any number of things.

Does Your Vehicle Need a Fuel System Cleaning?

Maybe. But I can't recommend getting it done at a quick-lube outlet.

Over time, fuel injectors get clogged with varnish deposits and dirt that's picked up in the fuel. When this happens, the injectors dribble fuel into the combustion chamber rather than deliver a fine mist of air/fuel mixture for perfect combustion.

As an automotive machinist, I have seen many cylinder heads and pistons loaded with carbon buildup from inefficient combustion that resulted in inefficient and/or damaged engines. In addition, I can tell you that fuel additives to the fuel tank alone cannot keep a fuel system clean.

Fuel systems do need to be cleaned. During the fuel delivery system cleaning process, industrial strength carbon and varnish cleaners are injected directly into the fuel delivery system while the engine is running.

The problem I have with having this service done at a quick-lube is that they "recommend" the service almost every time you stop in for an oil change. Also, I question the quality of the fuel system service they offer. In order for this service to work effectively, they must use a special machine and a specific set of tools, as well as an industrial grade carbon and varnish cleaner. Such equipment, found in high quality repair facilities or dealerships, is often not available at quick lubes.

Don't get me wrong. Quick lubes have their place in automotive service. However, I think they are out of their league in this area of service.

Bottom Line: This is not a diagnosis or service I would entrust to a quick-lube station.

Does Your Vehicle Need a Brake Fluid Flush?

Brake fluid flushing is a viable service that should be done if there is rust and sediment in the brake master cylinder. After researching several year, make, and model vehicles in the ALLDATA database, I realized that this is not a recommended service from the manufacturer.

At best, carmakers suggest an inspection of the braking system at regular intervals (every 6K miles or so) that includes inspection of the brake fluid along with the rest of the system. The hydraulic braking system is designed as a closed and sealed system. When it is exposed to the atmosphere because of a broken seal or hydraulic cup, the system will draw moisture into itself because of the hydroscopic (moisture absorbing) nature of the brake fluid.

So a simple inspection of the brake fluid is all that is required. When checking brake fluid, look for proper level, color, and smell. Brake fluid that is clear/translucent in color, at the proper level, and has no evidence of a burnt smell indicates a healthy braking system. If the color is black or rust-colored, there is a problem. Simple flushing will not repair the root cause of the condition.

A dark or black color accompanied by a burnt smell is indication that the system has overheated. There are three causes of overheating: A stuck brake caliper, a seized emergency brake, or a contaminated wheel cylinder that causes a brake shoe to stick in the applied position. A rust-colored fluid indicates that moisture has entered the system, and therefore the system should be checked for a leaking component, a compromised line, or a torn master cylinder gasket. Brake fluid flushing alone without an inspection and/or repair of the root cause of the discolored fluid is not a repair. It is like a band-aid on a compound fracture.

Bottom Line: I do not recommend regular brake fluid flushing. It is simply not necessary unless a problem with color, level, or smell of the brake fluid is observed.

Does Your Vehicle Need a Transmission Fluid Flush?

As a regular maintenance practice (every 35 – 40K miles) transmission flushing can ensure proper operation and longevity of the transmission. More often than that is overkill.

Some carmakers suggest this service every 100K miles or more. However, I don't agree with this time frame because transmission fluid is oil, and oil breaks down over time (especially when the unit is worked hard). In addition, I don't agree with just flushing the fluid without replacing the transmission filter. During the flush procedure, if the old filter is left in place, dirt and wear material will be dislodged and go back into the transmission. Dirt will then be flowing through the unit and contaminating it again. In addition, a worn, dirty filter is expected to do the job it once did when it was new! So when flushing transmission fluid, always replace the filter. Period.

On transmissions with high mileage that have a history of being neglected (have not been serviced for many thousands of miles and the fluid is dark and smells burnt -- evidence of overheating), I do not recommend a transmission flush. On a transmission that has been overheated, internal damage might have occurred. If this is the case, when the transmission is subjected to a complete bath of fresh high-detergency transmission fluid, the transmission will fail internally.

Bottom Line: If you have a high mileage vehicle and the quick lube shop has recommended a fluid flush, get a second opinion from a drivetrain expert before proceeding... or pay the consequences.

Does Your Vehicle Need a Transfer Case or Differential Fluid Change?

Transfer cases are very quirky units. When the differential fluid is compromised in any way from overheating or moisture contamination they can malfunction. Symptoms of a malfunction include chatter, engaging and disengaging rapidly while in gear, slowness to engage from low to high range, and a host of other strange maladies.

Different carmakers use different fluids for their respective transfer cases. Each fluid is uniquely formulated for the respective transfer case application.

Bottom Line: This is an area of service that I would never leave to a quick lube, but rather to a drivetrain specialist or a dealership.

There is simply too much room for error when it comes to filling the unit with the wrong fluid.

I hope this clarifies any concerns or questions you might have before heading out to your local quick lube.

Remember, knowledge is empowering, and in this case, can save you a lot of time and money (and that's probably why you are going to the quick lube in the first place).

'Til next time...Keep Rollin'

Dodge Pickups Under Investigation For Steering Complaints

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. safety investigators have launched a new review of steering complaints in Dodge Ram pickup trucks that could result in a bigger recall of the model, government officials said in documents filed today.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last December recalled 22,274 4500- and 5500-series pickups made by Chrysler between 2008 and 2011 for misaligned steering components.

Investigators said the suspected defect in the medium-duty trucks could cause certain steering rod parts to weaken and possibly break.

NHTSA said in a defect notice that it had opened a preliminary investigation of 2500- and 3500-series Ram trucks for the same model years based on 12 new motorist complaints alleging similar problems.

The new investigation could effect as many as 160,000 vehicles.

A preliminary investigation is often the first step toward a recall. NHTSA has not yet said whether a recall will occur in this case.

Ram trucks, a signature Chrysler product, registered a 24 percent jump in sales in March compared to the same period a year ago.

A second recall of Ram trucks last year centered on potential axle problems in 56,000 vehicles.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Top Safe Cars for Teens

As parents I think we can all agree that our children's safety is foremost on our mind.  What parent doesn't get a bit nervous at the thought of our teenagers starting to drive.  In a recent article from the Wall Street Journal they ranked  the top vehicles based on safety crash-test data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as well as reliability scores from Consumer Reports.  They recommend staying away from sporty vehicles as it may tempt young (as well as older) drivers to drive too fast.  They have also recommended to stay away from large SUVs as well as pickups because they tend to be easier to roll, and to avoid subcompacts as there's just  not enough metal between the driver and whatever obstacle they may hit.  Of the safe choices Honda leads the way.  The Honda Pilot scored top marks followed by the Honda CR-V in second place and the Honda Accord tied for third.













See full article at:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703712504576244871890273248.html

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Mercedes-Benz recalls M-Class for cruise control glitch

DETROIT (Reuters) - Mercedes-Benz launched a global recall older-model M-Class sport utility vehicles for issues related to cruise control that may lead to a crash, Mercedes parent Daimler AG and U.S. federal safety regulators said.

A wide majority of the vehicles being recalled are model year 2000-2002 M-Class SUVs, but there are a small number of 2000-2004 AMG performance vehicles also covered by the recall.

Some 136,751 vehicles will be recalled in the United States and about 50,000 in Germany, said Mercedes-Benz representatives in the two countries.

No crashes or injuries have resulted from the issue, Mercedes-Benz USA spokesman Rob Moran said.

Tapping the brakes to disengage cruise control may fail, increasing the chances of a crash, a filing with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

There are other ways, including working a "cruise control stalk" on the steering wheel or applying firm consistent pressure on the brakes, that will still disengage the system in the event that tapping the brakes fails, Mercedes-Benz USA said.

Cruise control also automatically disengages at speeds of 25 miles per hour or less, Moran said.

"Since the situation is triggered by a malfunction of the brake lamp switch, Mercedes-Benz USA will replace the brake lamp switch on these models beginning in September at no cost to customers," Moran said.

He said it will take a half year before the repairs begin to "ensure an adequate replacement parts supply."

U.S. consumers will be informed of the recall in the next few weeks.

"We will also remind them to disengage the cruise control by using the stalk or by applying firm pressure on the brake pedal, and to avoid pumping the brakes," Moran said.

The recall was prompted by several complaints from consumers, NHTSA and the automaker said.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Job Market Tight, but Not at Car Dealerships

By Casey Stegall

Published April 01, 2011
FoxNews.com

Here's a little fuel injection for the economy: Despite a national unemployment rate of 8.8 percent for the month of March, there is one industry that’s actually expanding: new car dealerships.

Sales figures from Ford, GM and Chrysler all show gains over last year, which is helping to translate into new job opportunities in that field.

The new jobs aren’t just limited to sales experience either. Dealerships are also looking for mechanics, car porters and employees to work the administrative side.

According to the market research firm IBISWorld USA, new car dealers around the country are projected to add about 90,000 news jobs this year. That’s a 10 percent increase since 2010.

While the numbers look promising, the picture still isn’t so rosy when you look at pre-recession levels. According to IBISWorld, more than 1.1 million people were employed by new car dealerships in 2007. Those numbers were slashed to a little more than 750,000 in 2009. This year the number looks like it will grow to around 988,000, not quite as robust as in the good old days.

However, economists say it is progress and it’ll take time for the automotive industry to fully bounce back because it was hit so hard when the economy tanked.

Other good news that surely gets motors running is that auto manufacturing revenue is projected to rise roughly 17 percent, according to the same research company. The numbers rank new car dealers third on the list of industries with the highest individual-based employment growth for 2011, behind office staffing/temp agencies and tourism jobs.

Paul Taylor, the chief economist for the National Automobile Dealers Association, attributes the growth to a number of things. Taylor says the credit market is loosening, consumer confidence is rising and the average car or truck on the road is more than 10 years old, so more people are in the market for a new vehicle.

He also says roughly 2,250 dealers permanently closed their doors over the last several years during the recession. Now, the existing 17,500 dealerships across America are reabsorbing some of that staff that was laid off. Lastly, Taylor says a higher demand for hybrid and fuel-alternative vehicles are responsible for the boost in sales and employment gains as well.

IBISWorld projects that new car dealership employment levels to be back above the one million mark by 2016.

Toyota to Raise Prices on Most Models

The Detroit Free Press reports that Toyota is raising prices, effective May 1, on nearly all vehicles offered by its three brands, by up to 2.2 percent, to reflect higher raw material costs and the continuing strength of the Japanese yen.

The price hikes range from as modest as 0.4 percent, or $65, on the Scion xD hatchback – now with a suggested price of $15,910 – to a substantial 2.2 percent, or $900, increase on the Toyota Sequoia SUV.  Prices on Lexus models will rise by $650 to $900.

Toyota division spokesman Greg Thome said the company decided to raise prices before the earthquake, but he acknowledged that higher material costs and the strength of the Japanese yen were factors in the increases.  The yen has remained strong against the U.S. dollar before and after the earthquake.  That shrinks the profits on vehicles built in Japan and sold in the U.S. because it takes more dollars to equal the same number of yen.

Separately, Honda said Thursday it will resume limited production at its crucial Sayama and Suzuka assembly plants on April 11.

See the full article at:

http://www.freep.com/article/20110401/BUSINESS01/104010345/Toyota-raise-prices-most-models

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

KIA Reaches Top 5 in CSI

After Kia achieved the second-highest increase of any brand in 2010, many outsiders might have expected Kia to fall back, or at best, stay the same in the 2011 J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction with Dealer Service Index (CSI) released earlier this month. However, thanks to the great efforts of  the Kia Salesmen, Servicemen and Managers, Kia was again among the most-improved makes with a huge 28-point improvement, vaulting our brand up 8 places to another all-time high rank of 5th of 21 mass-market OEMs! Here are a few highlights: 
  • Kia is 26 points above the mass-market average, ahead of Honda, Toyota, and Ford.
  • Kia has 3 consecutive years of dramatic improvement, up 78 points and 16 rank positions, by far the most in the industry over that time.
  • Kia now leads all non-luxury Asian brands.
  • For the second consecutive year, Kia improved in every index question, and especially so in the highest-weighted areas of Service Initiation (up 39 points) and Service Quality (up 29 points.)
 

I would also like to note that two more of Walker Automotive's brands, GMC and Buick, finished in the top 3.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Honda Tops Consumer Reports Survey

Honda, Subaru remain top automakers in Consumer Reports ranking

Automotive News
February 28, 2011 - 2:00 pm EST

UPDATED: 2/28/11 4:10 pm ET

WASHINGTON (Bloomberg) -- Honda and Subaru topped Consumer Reports' annual rankings of automakers for 2011, while better reliability and enhanced resale values helped Ford improve the most since last year.

Honda Motor Co. posted the best overall score of 74 out of 100 points in the Consumer Reports' ranking. Honda was followed by Subaru with 73 points and Toyota Motor Corp. with 71 points. Volvo placed fourth with 68 points, followed by Ford with 67 and Hyundai.

Chrysler Group LLC had the worst ranking among the car makers with 43 points. Mercedes-Benz, BMW and General Motors also placed near the bottom of the rankings.

The Ford Mustang was the No. 1 pick among sports cars, placing a U.S. manufacturer at the top of that list for the first time in six years. Top picks in other categories include Honda Motor Co.'s Fit for the new category of budget cars, Hyundai Motor Co.'s Elantra for small cars and Nissan Motor Co.'s Altima for family sedans for the second year.

"The (best picks) come from many different manufacturers," Consumer Reports' Director of Automotive Testing David Champion said in an interview. "At one time, it used to be dominated by Honda and Toyota."

According to the magazine, no Honda product scores less than average in reliability. Currently, Consumer Reports recommends 76 percent of the Honda vehicles it has tested. But some new Honda models have been unimpressive, the magazine said, including the new CR-Z coupe and Insight hybrids. The two hybrids didn't score well enough in tests to be recommended.

The redesigned Odyssey, the magazine's top-ranked minivan, also dropped a few points in its test score, compared with the previous year.

Subaru has the highest average road-test score -- 81 -- as measured by the magazine. And while the Japanese automaker only markets a half-a-dozen models, they all do well in Consumer Reports' road tests and nearly all are reliable. The Forester is a top-rated small SUV, and the Legacy sedan has been improved with each generation. Only one model, the sporty Impreza WRX, has below-average reliability, the magazine said.

Toyota, which last week recalled 2.17 million vehicles for floor mats that may jam accelerator pedals, claimed three of the 10 top picks, the most of any automaker. Toyota's RAV4 is the top small sport-utility vehicle, its Prius is the top environmentally friendly car for the eighth consecutive year, and its Sienna is the top family hauler.

Toyota's Prius scored the best for fuel economy at an average 44 miles per gallon. Five vehicles -- the Cadillac Escalade, the Ford Expedition EL Eddie Bauer, the Lincoln Navigator Ultimate, the Nissan Armada SV and the Nissan Titan SV -- tied for the worst with 13 mpg.

The magazine said GM's average test score for all tested models improved to 67 from 65 last year. But the automaker still markets a few lackluster models, the magazine said, including the Chevrolet Impala sedan and Colorado pickup.

Chrysler finished last in the rankings with an average test score of 50.

An automaker's overall score is based on a composite of road-test and predicted-reliability scores for all tested vehicles. The magazine's road test score is based on more than 50 tests and evaluations, covering performance, safety, fuel economy, comfort, and convenience. Reliability scores come from Consumer Reports' Annual Auto Survey, which included histories of 1.3 million vehicles.

The rankings by Consumer Reports influence car buyers and are published in the magazine's annual auto issue. Consumer Reports, published by Consumers Union, uses vehicle owner reliability surveys from 1.3 million people, government and insurance-industry crash tests and its own evaluations of how vehicles function for its ratings.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Ford F-150 Recall

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Under government pressure, Ford Motor Co. said Wednesday it will recall nearly 150,000 F-150 pickup trucks to fix air bags that could deploy without warning.


The recall covers trucks from the 2005-2006 model years in the United States and Canada for what the auto company calls a "relatively low risk" of the air bag deploying inadvertently.

The recall, however, is much smaller in scope than what the government had requested. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, citing 77 injuries, told the company in a November 2010 memo that the recall should cover 1.3 million F-150 trucks from the 2004-2006 model years.

The F-150 is the flagship of Ford's popular F-Series pickup trucks, the best-selling vehicle in America. The government expanded its investigation into the air bag problems in January 2010.

A Transportation Department spokeswoman said the agency was currently reviewing Ford's response to see if the recall was adequate. If the government determines that the recall is too limited, it could lead to a rare public hearing to decide whether Ford should expand its safety action.

NHTSA said in a Nov. 24 memo that it knew of 238 cases in which the air bags improperly deployed and noted that Ford made production changes to the trucks in 2006 and 2007 to fix the air bag wiring and other issues.

Government regulators said in the memo that Ford did not believe the issue "warrants any corrective action" because the number of reports and incidents were low, owners received "adequate warning" from the air bag warning light and the "resulting injuries are minor in nature."

Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood said in a statement Wednesday that the recall covered trucks built at the Norfolk, Va., assembly plant from November 2004 through June 2005.

Sherwood said the majority of the complaints involved trucks built during the first shift of production at the Norfolk plant and the rates of air bags accidentally deploying were much higher in trucks built at the Virginia plant than those built at plants in Michigan and Missouri.

Ford said an air bag wire located in the steering wheel could have been improperly positioned so it would chafe, expose bare copper and create the possibility of a short circuit that would light up the airbag warning lamp.

Ford said most of the air bag issues happened within the first few seconds of the vehicle starting up and the company said it was aware of "one customer that jumped from the vehicle" after the air bag deployed while the truck was parked in a driveway.

The recall, which was first reported by the Detroit News, is expected to begin in early March. Owners will be notified and told to bring their truck to their dealer.