Boston Herald - Boston Herald

GM breaks ground on China Cadillac plant

Associated Press — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:27:40 -0400

SHANGHAI — General Motors Co. executives broke ground for a new Cadillac factory in China on Wednesday to target luxury buyers in the world's biggest auto market, though they said the segment would grow slower than expected this year.

Company leaders said they were optimistic about long-term growth in the luxury segment and have aggressive plans to expand Cadillac's dealer network.

Chrysler agrees to recall of Jeeps at risk of fire

Associated Press — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:54:46 -0400

DETROIT — After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.

But the recall, which came in an 11th-hour deal between the automaker and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, covers only 1.56 million of the 2.7 million Jeeps that the government wanted repaired. The rest are part of a "customer service action" and many may not get fixed.

US safety agency investigating Suzuki small SUVs

Associated Press — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:03:44 -0400

DETROIT — U.S. safety regulators said Tuesday that they are investigating problems with air-bag sensors in the seats of some small Suzuki SUVs.

The probe covers 205,000 vehicles including Grand Vitaras from the 2006 through 2011 model years and SX4s from 2007 through 2011.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its website that 128 owners have complained about problems with sensors in the front passenger seats that should turn off the air bag when a child is sitting there.

Chrysler expected to formally refuse Jeep recall

Associated Press — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:04:50 -0400

DETROIT — In one of the biggest-ever showdowns between an automaker and the government, Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching fire in rear-end collisions.

The government says 51 people have suffered fiery deaths in Jeep Grand Cherokees and Libertys that were hit from behind. Regulators claim that the position of the gas tank, behind the rear axle, makes the Jeeps more susceptible to a fiery crash than similar models.

European car sales hit 20-year low for May

Associated Press — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:57:56 -0400

MILAN — European car sales had their worst May in 20 years as the region's recession drags on, the European automakers' association said Tuesday.

Passenger car demand for May dropped by 5.9 percent on the same month last year in the 27-country European Union to 1.042 million units, the lowest level for that month since 1993 when sales dropped below 1 million, according to new figures released by ACEA. For the first five months of the year, sales dropped 6.8 percent to 5.07 million.

Chrysler expected to formally refuse Jeep recall

Associated Press — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:02:34 -0400

DETROIT — Chrysler is expected to file papers Tuesday explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs.

The U.S. government asked Chrysler earlier this month to recall Grand Cherokees and Libertys because the position of the fuel tank leaves it susceptible to rupture in a rear-end crash. The ruptured tank can spill gasoline, which can ignite if an ignition source is present.

The agency says 51 people have been killed in accidents involving the older Jeeps.

Mass. gas prices up a penny

Associated Press — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:50:40 -0400

BOSTON — The price of a gallon of gas in Massachusetts has crept up by a penny in the past week yet remains well below the national average.

AAA Southern New England reports Monday that self-serve, regular climbed in the past week to an average of $3.50 per gallon, eleven cents lower than the national average.

The price in Massachusetts is seven cents higher than at the same time a year ago and a penny higher than a month ago.

AAA found self-serve, regular selling for as low as $3.37 per gallon and as high as $3.69.

Porsche family buys back stake from Qatar fund

Associated Press — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:10:49 -0400

BERLIN — Descendants of German automobile entrepreneur Ferdinand Porsche have bought back a 10 percent stake in their holding company from Qatar's sovereign wealth fund.

Carmaker Porsche confirmed the transaction Monday but didn't reveal the sales price.

The Porsche and Piech families are now again the sole shareholders of Porsche Automobil Holding SE. That company is the largest single shareholder of Volkswagen AG, which in turn manufactures the Porsche luxury cars.

Knock on cold start a pain, but likely no big deal

Paul Brand — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400

I have a 2003 Pontiac Vibe, which is basically a Toyota Matrix, with 135,000 miles on it. This past winter on a cold start it would knock for a minute or three, depending on how cold. A friend who is a GM technician said that it is a cold piston slap, and it will last for a long time. Now, because I am aware of the sound, I can faintly hear it this summer. Could it be anything else?

Load up the family and cover Terrain

Christopher Evans — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The 2013 GMC Terrain’s boxy exterior and exaggerated fender flares serve as reminders that the five-seater is still very much a sport utility vehicle — with a load-up-the-family, stuff-the-gear-in-the-back and let’s go somewhere mentality.

Cooper CEO says buyer committed to US operations

Associated Press — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 18:19:11 -0400

TOLEDO, Ohio — A tire maker whose main market is in India is buying Ohio's Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. for $2.2 billion and making a commitment to maintain the company's three U.S. manufacturing plants and retain its management operation in Ohio, Cooper's chief executive said Wednesday.

India's Apollo Tyres Ltd. said the combined company will be the world's seventh-largest tire maker and have a strong foothold across four continents.

Their tire brands include Apollo, Cooper, Roadmaster and Vredestein.

Hands-free texting still distracting for drivers

Associated Press — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:57:05 -0400

WASHINGTON — Using voice commands to send text messages and emails from behind the wheel, which is marketed as a safer alternative for drivers, actually is more distracting and dangerous than simply talking on a cellphone, a new AAA study found.

Chrysler recalls 15,000 Darts; engines can stall

Associated Press — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 14:38:24 -0400

DETROIT — Chrysler is recalling about 15,000 new Dodge Dart compact cars worldwide because the engines can stall in cold weather.

The recall affects 2013 model year cars with 1.4-liter four-cylinder engines and dual-clutch automatic transmissions.

The company found the problem itself while testing a Dart that had been parked for eight hours in a room at 20 degrees Fahrenheit. After being pulled out of the room, the car stalled moments after it was started, according to a statement from Chrysler, which owns the Dodge brand.

US investigates Honda minivans for air bag trouble

Associated Press — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 14:06:58 -0400

DETROIT — U.S. safety regulators have added about 320,000 older model Honda Odyssey minivans to a widening probe of faulty air bags that affects at least three automakers and more than 2 million vehicles.

Front air bags on the Honda Motor Co. minivans from the 2003 and 2004 model years can inflate without a crash, possibly injuring drivers and passengers.

Stripped-down Harley rebounds from recession

Associated Press — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 04:51:50 -0400

MILWAUKEE — Harley-Davidson CEO Keith Wandell says he feels good about the company's future after several hard years.

Wandell grabbed the handlebars at the iconic motorcycle maker amid the credit crisis of 2009. Harley made nearly $655 million the year before; in 2009, it lost $55 million.

Wandell led a push to modernize the company, overhauling its manufacturing process, broadening its customer base and expanding overseas. Harley made $624 million last year, and its first-quarter profits were up 30 percent over the same time the year before.

American auto industry about to go on hiring spree

Associated Press — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 19:57:00 -0400

DETROIT — The auto industry is about to go on a hiring spree as car makers and parts suppliers race to find engineers, technicians and factory workers to build the next generation of vehicles.

American factories are operating at about 95 percent of capacity, and many are already running three shifts. As a result, some auto and parts companies are doing something they've been reluctant to consider since the recession: Adding floor space and spending millions of dollars on new equipment.

Scion IQ excels  on city streets

Jim Mahoney — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Not half bad.

The 2013 Scion IQ is a spirited little two seater — OK, it’s got a back seat of sorts — that fights for recognition in the subcompact class. Battling for a place at the table with the Mini Cooper, Fiat 500, Chevy Sonic, Kia RIO and Smart Fortwo, this runabout demands a must look when shopping.

The 94 horsepower, 1.3 liter engine is linked to a continuous variable transmission (CVT) and gets close to 37 mpg. But better than that, the 8.5 gallon tank only cost me $21 to fill after a week’s worth of mixed driving.

Tesla, Natick charged up for dealer lawsuit battle

Jordan Graham — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Electric car company Tesla Motors is fighting for the right to continue selling its battery-powered vehicles direct to consumers — a practice that has provoked lawsuits from a state car dealers group that says it’s anti-consumer.

California-based Tesla, which has 24 stores in North America including in Natick, counters that its retail operation gives buyers a chance to experience a niche product.

Driving a Tesla Model S just electric

Jordan Graham — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 22:35:00 -0400

Tesla Motors should have called its Model S sports sedan the Model W — for wow.

I took the four-door, electric car for a spin around Boston yesterday, putting the fully loaded model through its paces for a couple hours.

GM CEO says dividend, share buyback possible

Associated Press — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 18:26:16 -0400

DETROIT — General Motors CEO Dan Akerson says the company's finances are sound enough to consider paying a dividend or even buying more of its stock from the U.S. government.

The CEO, in comments after GM's annual meeting Thursday, also said the company first has to keep investing in new vehicles and equipment.

GM cut its dividend in July of 2008, amid financial troubles that eventually landed it in bankruptcy protection. The company needed a $49.5 billion government bailout in 2008 and 2009 to survive the financial crisis and the Great Recession.

Boston Herald - Boston Herald

GM breaks ground on China Cadillac plant

Chrysler agrees to recall of Jeeps at risk of fire

US safety agency investigating Suzuki small SUVs

Chrysler expected to formally refuse Jeep recall

European car sales hit 20-year low for May

Chrysler expected to formally refuse Jeep recall

Mass. gas prices up a penny

Porsche family buys back stake from Qatar fund

Knock on cold start a pain, but likely no big deal

Load up the family and cover Terrain

Cooper CEO says buyer committed to US operations

Hands-free texting still distracting for drivers

Chrysler recalls 15,000 Darts; engines can stall

US investigates Honda minivans for air bag trouble

Stripped-down Harley rebounds from recession

American auto industry about to go on hiring spree

Scion IQ excels on city streets

Tesla, Natick charged up for dealer lawsuit battle

Driving a Tesla Model S just electric

GM CEO says dividend, share buyback possible

Scion IQ excels  on city streets