Refinement concerns have fuel-saving dual-clutch on hold at Chrysler

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, MPG, Chrysler, Dodge

Chrysler has delayed plans for a dual-clutch gearbox in the United States, according to The Car Connection. The high-tech gearbox was slated to be introduced with the 2012 Dodge Avenger and Chrysler 200, but refinement issues have reportedly put that introduction on hold. At present, the best automatic offered [...]

Honda recalling 86,000 units for fire, rollaway concerns

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Crossover, Hatchback, Honda

It has been a tough year for recalls at Honda. Just last month, the automaker recalled 1.51 million vehicles in the U.S. for an engine stall issue. In May Honda recalled another 833,000 vehicles for an airbag issue.
Now Honda is adding another 86,000 vehicles to the tally for a [...]

Report: China suspends Jeep Wrangler importation over safety concerns

Filed under: Convertible, SUV, China, Recalls, Chrysler, Jeep, Off-Road

2011 Jeep Wrangler – Click above for high-res image gallery

China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) has suspended the importation of the Jeep Wrangler due to a series of car fires. Car News China reports that the Agency’s investigation showed the fires resulted from [...]

Report: Automaker group voices concerns over federal ethanol legislation

Filed under: Ethanol, Legislation and Policy, USA

Lawmakers and car manufacturers often find themselves on opposite ends of debates, and a proposed mandate to make most vehicles E85 capable only proves that point. The Detroit News reports that Senator Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, has sponsored a bill that would force automakers to make 90 percent of their [...]

Chrysler recalling 76,000 Ram pickups over braking concerns

Filed under: Truck, Recalls, Safety, Dodge

Dodge Ram – Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler is recalling 76,112 Dodge Ram trucks for a problem that may result in brake pedals that don’t return as quickly as they should. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the issue is specific to 2010 and 2011 model year [...]

2009-2010 Mazda5 minivans recalled over fuel pump concerns

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Recalls, Mazda

2009 Mazda5 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a safety recall on certain Mazda5 minivans from the 2009 and 2010 model year.
This recall focuses on the van’s fuel pump, with NHTSA citing that water may not have been completely removed from the pump’s [...]

Deepwater drilling set to resume; concerns still remain

Filed under: Etc., Legislation and Policy, Green Daily

Back in April, an oil rig positioned off Louisiana’s coast called the Deepwater Horizon burst into flames and the rig sank into the sea. For months, clean-up crews worked to contain the mess and specialists were flown in to put a stop to the oil that spewed out [...]

Nissan sticks with Lance Armstrong as Leaf’s spokesperson despite escalated doping concerns [w/video]

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Green Daily

Nissan Leaf ad featuring Lance Armstrong – Click above to watch video after the jump

Amid escalating concerns over Lance Armstrong’s possible violation of cycling’s anti-doping policy, Nissan is saying it will stick with the seven-time Tour De France champion as the Leaf’s official spokesperson. Speaking with Ad Age, Nissan’s new [...]

Ford recalling nearly 34,000 Transit Connect vehicles over headliner concerns

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Recalls, Safety, Work, Ford

2010 Ford Transit Connect – Click above for high-res image gallery

In a recall scheduled to begin in about 10 days, Ford dealers will be repairing headliners in Transit Connect vans due to faulty retention pins. In the event of an accident, passengers could be at increased risk of injury [...]

Ferrari ‘forced’ to add hybrid, emissions concerns not ‘real’

Filed under: Hybrid, Ferrari, Legislation and Policy, Green Daily, Racing

Ferrari 599 HY-KERS – Click above for high-res image gallery

By now, you’ve likely seen the various hybrid vehicles shown off by Ferrari, both for racing and for street-legal models in concept form. Purists might be more than a bit put off by the idea of a [...]