Major Developments Major Developments by Calendar Year

March 3, 2011

Major Auto Recalls in USA 2010-11

Filed under: Automobile — Tags: , — Winson @ 7:28 AM

The following are the list of all the major recalls made in the US automobile industry, the list includes:

  • The 2011 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, has the possibility of fracturing the seat belt anchor, which could effect driver or front-seat passenger. This problem is discovered in September.
  • Ford Windstars are recalled by the company because there is a problem in the axle and it may cause death to the passengers.
  • Almost 750,000 vehicles were recalled by Volkswagen and Chrysler, in two separate recalls because of the water leaking on to the carpet from the AC in Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans.
  • Because of a steering problem, 501,000 trucks in the United States are recalled by Japanese automaker Nissan along with 240,000 of 2002–04 Frontier pickups and 261,000 Nissan Xterra sport utility vehicles.
  • To override the gas pedal and cut power to the engine, the world no.1 automaker retrofitted the 2.2 million vehicles with smart stop system, in which the engine power is cut down if the pedal is being pushed for longer than one and a half second at speeds greater than five miles per hour.
  • Suzuki is recalling almost 70,000 SX4 which includes hatchbacks and sedans because the outside mirrors may fall off. Suzuki told the agency it became aware of the problem in 2009 after discovering that a supplier had stopped using thread lock on the screws.
  • 470000 vehicles will be recalled by Honda in USA for a break fluid problem which includes Acura RL, Honda Odyssey models.
  • Mazda is recalling 215000 Mazda3, Mazda5 cars in United States for the steering problems.
  • The Mercedes-Benz is calling back 85000 recent cars because loosening of a connection fitting on the high-pressure power steering line allowing power steering fluid to leak.
  • 485 Italia super cars is recalled by Ferrari for the problem of machine which has a tendency to burst into flames.

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US Auto Sales Dominated By Domestic Trucks And Japanese Sedans in 2010

Filed under: Automobile — Tags: — Winson @ 6:08 AM

Ford F-150

According to Edmunds.com report of best selling vehicles, consumers gravitated toward American trucks and Japanese sedans in 2010 and the sales of the hybrids fell in the same year. Americans purchased 272,282 hybrid vehicles last year, which is less than 6% when compared to 2009.

Two trucks were among the top three automobile sellers in 2010, the Ford F-150 recorded the most sold vehicle in 2010 and Ford sold 391,219 of the trucks, which is a 38% increase from recession depressed 2009. The second most sold vehicle in US is Chevrolet’s Silverado 1500 and the sales figure is 100,000 less than the trucks sold by Ford.

Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry is a sedan from the Japanese car maker Toyota Kirloskar, is in the third place among the top 10 list. The number of cars sold is 313,212, which is 6 percent less than 2009 because of the recalling issues. Besides the Camry, Honda’s Accord and Civic, Toyota’s Corolla and Nissan’s Altima are among the top 10 list and all these are Japan automakers. Together, the five Japanese sedans sold more than 1.3 million vehicles in 2010.

The above said Sedans may face problems in future with the domestic companies like Ford introducing Focus, Chevrolet has its new Cruze. New generation Elantra, by Hyundai is being awaited, as it is more fuel efficient with nice styling in this segment.

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February 17, 2011

Electric Car Launched by Honda in China

Filed under: Automobile — Tags: , — Winson @ 6:26 AM

Honda is ready to launch its first electric car in 2012 in China. A study is being made to find the possibility of marketing the pure electric-energy vehicles. It is in hopes to boost the sales in the country with the largest automotive market in the world. The testing program is now conducted in several countries that include China, Japan, and the United States.

Honda Jazz

The hatchback Jazz (Fit) and medium sedan Accord hybrid plug-in are the two more models that are developed by the company. The launch of the electric cars is based on the government policy that encourages the use of energy friendly vehicles.

The large market potential in China and the support incentives hindered by China’s policy had forced all the foreign makers for transferring the technology of electric cars to local partners. The China’s auto industry can be considered to become independent in applying this technology in the next 10 years. However, this policy is considered as contrary and detrimental to some foreign principles.

Toshiba Corporation is one of the Japan’s largest electronics manufacturer. Honda Motor Company has taken the cooperation of the Toshiba Corporation for supplying lithium-ion batteries in electric cars. After Toshiba became a sole-supplier of lithium-ion batteries to the electric scooter Honda, the partnership continued. Honda announced that the electric cars are prepared only if they provide the ability to roam up to 160km per hour every time the power battery is charged fully.

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Chevrolet Volt Leaf Launched in the U.S.

Filed under: Automobile — Tags: — Winson @ 6:22 AM

The electric cars launched with serious action in the United States includes the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt Leaf. The Chevrolet Volt is the only brand of the mass-produced electric cars in the United States.

Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt Leaf

The Chevrolet Volt is a new plug-in hybrid extended range electric car. It is considered as to be at 99 percent level of engineering calibration according to the General Motors. The power for the vehicle is drawn from lithium-ion batteries and a 1.4-liter engine. The vehicle has a sport mode and provides adjustment for pedal mapping. It is delicate and the vehicle’s default mode is normal. By selecting eco settings climate control can be done. This is one of the most interesting feature of the vehicle.

The vehicle can be able to drive for about 40 miles using the battery alone and without gasoline. The base price of the vehicle revealed by the General Motors is $41,000 before a $7,500 federal tax credit. The Chevrolet Volt has a back up power source and provides premium fuel. This gives the vehicle a range of more than 100 miles. The reputation of the General Motors is expected to be given by the Volt among environmentally conscious consumers. This is involved in demonstrating the capabilities of battery-powered vehicles.

The Chevrolet Volt could be connected to a standard 120-volt outlet for charging the 400-pound battery. The company has been offering eight years of warranty. Otherwise it may provide warranty for 100,000 miles three years longer than what is been offered for the gasoline engines. Certain other features of the Volt include a built-in navigation system and hands-free telephone capabilities.

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Nissan Reveals Next Small Car for the U.S. at Chinese Auto Show

Filed under: Automobile — Tags: — Winson @ 6:19 AM

A new Chinese model was revealed in the Chinese auto show. It was expected to be called as Sentra in the United States. The model is to be called as Sunny in China. The Sentra is considered as the second largest car of Nissan in the U.S. The Versa is considered the smallest car of Nissan in the U.S and the one of the only two vehicles. The vehicle Versa is sold for less than $10,000 which is the starting price.

The vehicle was displayed at the China International Automobile Exhibition at Guangzhou. After starting the sale of the vehicle in the China, it is estimated that the vehicle is to be on sale in more than 170 countries worldwide including the U.S. with different brand names.

The features of the vehicle include a 1.5 liter four cylinder gasoline engine with dual injectors. Instead of a standard automatic transmission, continuously variable transmission has been used. MacPherson struts have been used for the front suspension and a torsion beam has been used for the rear suspension.

The vehicle is considered a major global car which is in the lineup. It is reported that the Nissan Sunny is related to the Nissan Versa. The growth of the vehicle can be mainly seen in Asia, South America and Central America.

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