GM Earnings Rise 1% as Buyers Pay More Silverado Trucks

General Motors said Thursday that higher prices for Silverado Trucks and SUVs helped overcome slowing global sales and profit rose by 1% in the second quarter.

The Detroit automaker said it made $2.42 billion, or $1.66 per share, from April through June. Adjusting for restructuring costs, GM made $1.64 per share, blowing by analyst estimates of $1.44.

Quarterly revenue fell 2% to $36.06 billion, but still, beat estimates. Analysts polled by FactSet expected $35.97 billion.

Global sales fell 6% to 1.94 million vehicles led by declines in North America and the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. The company says sales in China were weak, and it expects that to continue through the year.

In the United States, customers paid an average of $41,461 for a GM vehicle during the quarter, an increase of 2.2%, as buyers went for loaded-out pickups and SUVs, according to the Edmunds.com auto pricing site. The U.S. is GM’s most profitable market.

Chief Financial Officer Dhivya Suryadevara said she expects the strong pricing to continue, especially as GM rolls out a diesel pickup and new heavy-duty trucks in the second half of the year.

“We think the fundamentals do remain strong, especially in the truck market,” she said, adding that strength in the overall economy and aging trucks now on the road should help keep the trend going.

Silverado Trucks accounted for 83.1% of GM’s sales in the quarter, and pickup truck sales rose 8.5% as GM transitioned to new models of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, according to Edmunds, which provides content to The Associated Press.

As usual, GM made most of its money in North America, reporting $3 billion in pretax earnings. International operations including China broke even, while the company spent $300 million on its GM Cruise automated vehicle unit. Its financial arm made $500 million in pretax income.

Suryadevara said GM saw $700 million in savings during the quarter from restructuring actions announced late last year that included cutting about 8,000 white-collar workers through layoffs, buyouts and early retirements. The company also announced plans to close five North American factories, shedding another 6,000 jobs. About 3,000 factory workers in the U.S. whose jobs were eliminated at four plants will be placed at other factories, but they could have to relocate.


GM expects the restructuring to generate $2 billion to $2.5 billion in annual cost savings by the end of this year.

CEO Mary Barra told analysts on a conference call Thursday that the company is hiring white-collar workers with skills in growth areas. For example, GM is in the process of adding 500 workers for automated vehicles at Cruise, raising the workforce to 2,000.

Many of the white-collar layoffs came from work on the internal combustion engine, and administration.

“We are hiring now to replace attrition but maintain the lower cost level that we’ve worked so hard to get,” Barra said.

GM repeated its guidance for the full-year adjusted pretax income of $6.50 to $7 per share. Shares rose almost 3 percent in midday trading Thursday.

source: usa.inquirer.net

Naked man jumps and stomps on cars, causes over P500,000 worth of damage

A naked man was caught damaging vehicles in a dealership in Oregon, United States, by jumping on them last Monday, July 13.

Ole Kittleston, the general manager of the business, discovered the odd incident when he reviewed security footage after noticing the damage to the cars, as per Fox News-affiliate KPTV last Thursday, July 18.

“I think you’re just kind of shocked when you see someone stumble across the street, obviously not wearing any clothes – jump up on to a car, start jumping on the hood,” Kittleson was quoted as saying.

The unidentified man entered the parking lot with no clothes, climbed up on the cars and began jumping and stomping on their hoods. He also slid down the windshield of one vehicle.

Kittleson stated that the damage done to the automobiles will cost more than $10,000 (about P510,000) to repair.

As per report, authorities are still conducting an investigation to identify the man. Ryan Arcadio/JB

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Honda to Recall Around 1m Vehicles with Dangerous Air Bags

DETROIT (AP) — Honda is likely to recall around 1 million older vehicles in the U.S. and Canada because the Takata driver’s air bag inflators that were installed during previous recalls could be dangerous.

Documents posted Monday by Canadian safety regulators show that Honda is recalling many of its most popular models for a second time. The models are from as far back as 2001 and as recent as 2010.

Canadian documents say about 84,000 vehicles are involved. That number is usually over 10 times higher in the United States.

Affected models include the Honda Accord from 2001 through 2007, the CR-V from 2002 through 2006, the Civic from 2001 through 2005, the Element from 2003 through 2010, the Odyssey from 2002 through 2004, the Pilot from 2003 through 2008 and the Ridgeline from 2006. Also covered are Acura luxury models including the MDX from 2003 through 2006, the EL from 2001 through 2005, the TL from 2002 and 2003 and the CL from 2003.

Transport Canada, the country’s transportation safety agency, said vehicles covered include those that were under previous recalls and others that had air bags replaced after collisions.

Takata used the chemical ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to inflate the air bags. But the chemical can deteriorate over time due to high humidity and cycles from hot temperatures to cold. It can burn too fast and blow apart a metal canister, hurling shrapnel into drivers and passengers.

At least 23 people have died from the problem worldwide and hundreds more were injured.

The recalls are part of the largest series of automotive recalls in U.S. history. As many as 70 million will be recalled.

Honda wouldn’t comment Monday, and a message was left for the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration seeking comment.

Owners will be told to take their vehicles to dealers to have the inflators replaced.

source: usa.inquirer.net

Honda recalls 784,000 vehicles in Japan over Takata air bags

TOKYO—Japanese automaker Honda is recalling 784,000 vehicles in Japan due to faulty Takata Corp. air bag inflators for front passenger seats.

The recall, announced by Honda Motor Co. on Thursday, is the latest of many such recalls over inflators that may explode with too much force.

This recall covers the Odyssey minivan, Accord sedan, Clarity fuel cell and other models.

The Tokyo-based manufacturer said the recall was in response to a recent decision by the Japanese government, which followed one last month by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in which Takata agreed to add up to 40 million air bag inflators to an already massive recall.

Takata has not been able to produce enough replacement parts to keep up with the recalls, which may balloon to more than 100 million globally.

The expanded recall mainly covers inflators in front passenger air bags that do not have a chemical drying agent known as a desiccant.

The inflators are responsible for at least 11 deaths worldwide and more than 100 injuries.

Authorities in Malaysia have begun an investigation into two more recent deaths in cars with Takata air bags that ruptured.

source: business.inquirer.net

Volkswagen offers diesel owners $1,000 in gift cards and vouchers

DETROIT — Volkswagen is offering $1,000 in gift cards and vouchers as a goodwill gesture to owners of small diesel-powered cars involved in an emissions cheating scandal.

The offer announced Monday goes to owners of 482,000 cars in the US, many who are angry at the company because they paid extra for the cars to be environmentally sensitive without losing peppy acceleration.

VW is working on a fix for the cars, which are equipped with software that turns on pollution controls during government tests and turns them off while on the road. The US Environmental Protection Agency says the cars, with 2-liter four-cylinder diesel engines, emit 10 to 40 times the allowable amount of harmful nitrogen oxide while being driven.

The offer also includes free roadside assistance for the diesel vehicles for three years.

“We are working tirelessly to develop an approved remedy for affected vehicles,” said Michael Horn, VW’s US CEO, said in a statement. “In the meantime we are providing this goodwill package as a first step towards regaining our customers’ trust.”

VW said that its Audi luxury brand would launch the same program on Friday.

Meanwhile, Germany’s Transport Ministry said Monday that of the 2. 4 million vehicles being recalled for fixes in Germany, regulators “currently expect that approximately 540,000 will also need hardware changes” as well as software changes. It says Volkswagen will inform owners of the details.

The company is recalling 8.5 million 2009-2015 model year cars with the software across Europe, starting next year. It says about 11 million cars worldwide have the software.

Also Monday, Fitch, the credit rating agency, downgraded Volkswagen’s debt by two notches to reflect the potential financial costs of the scandal as well as the management problems that led to the crisis in the first place.

The downgrade follows a similar move by Moody’s last week. Fitch cited the “possibility of further problems still to be uncovered” by the company’s internal investigation as well as “relatively weak corporate governance.”

To get the gift cards and vouchers in the US, owners will not be required to sign anything giving up their right to sue Volkswagen or forcing them into arbitration, spokeswoman Jeannine Ginivan. “There are no strings attached,” she said.

The fix of the 2-liter diesels in the US could wind up hurting performance or perhaps fuel mileage, the two main reasons why people buy the diesels. More than 200 class-action lawsuits have been filed in the US against VW alleging that the scandal caused the diesel cars to drop in value.

Early in October, Kelley Blue Book said the average resale value of Volkswagens with two-liter diesel engines fell 13 percent since mid-September, when VW admitted it cheated on the tests.

Used car values often drop in the fall, since demand for them is stronger in the summer. But VW’s diesel decline is unusually large. The price of gas-powered Volkswagens dropped 2 percent in the same period.

Volkswagen already is offering $2,000 to current VW owners to trade in their cars for new vehicles, and the gift cards and vouchers would add $1,000 to that.

The scandal expanded last week, when the EPA accused VW of cheating with different software on larger six-cylinder diesels in about 10,000 vehicles. VW also acknowledged finding irregularities in carbon dioxide emissions in 800,000 other vehicles, all outside the US Some of those were powered by gasoline engines.

 

 

The scandal drew protests from the Greenpeace environmental group Monday outside the main entrance to VW’s headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany. Protesters unfurled a banner reading “Das Problem” — a play on the carmaker’s marketing slogan “Das Auto.”

In addition to their banner, the Greenpeace protesters also held a “C” and a “2” on either side of the round VW logo at the factory entrance, spelling out “CO2.”

 

source: business.inquirer.net

Auto experts: Top managers probably knew of Volkswagen cheating

DETROIT — Auto industry insiders strongly suspect the emissions cheating scandal at Volkswagen is much wider and reaches higher up the corporate ladder than the company is letting on.

Volkswagen’s new CEO, Matthias Mueller, was quoted Wednesday as telling a German newspaper that the investigation so far has found that a few software developers tampered with the pollution controls on some of VW’s diesel engines. He said top executives would not have gotten involved in the software.

But industry experts and analysts say it’s hard to believe a few designers acted on their own to blatantly circumvent US emissions tests.

“You know that simple software guys would never have the courage or the authority to initiate the cheating,” said retired General Motors vice chairman Bob Lutz. “They would want someone senior to sign off on it.”

VW has admitted that 11 million of its diesel cars worldwide have software that turns pollution controls on when the vehicles are being tested on a treadmill-like device and shuts them off when the automobiles are on the road. The trick enables the cars to get better fuel mileage while spewing illegal levels of smog-causing exhaust.

Mueller didn’t rule out a wider circle of offenders and said VW is “now clarifying the responsibilities in detail.” The automaker has suspended four people responsible for engine development and hired a law firm to investigate.

On Thursday, VW’s top US executive, Michael Horn, is likely to face tough questioning on Capitol Hill about what he knew and when he knew it. VW said he will testify before Congress that he found out about the cheating software only a few weeks ago.

Experts say others in the company had to know about the cheating because the software controlled devices engineered by other departments. Those departments would surely have seen something amiss during testing of their own equipment.

Also, the cheating lasted for seven or eight years, and during that time, engineers and department heads would have changed jobs, widening the circle of knowledge, said Karl Brauer, senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book.

“I cannot envision how an eight-year policy to design the computers to act this way would be known by a few people at a low level and nobody else,” he said.

The cheating came as VW was aspiring to become the world’s top-selling automaker. Former employees said engineers were under pressure from management at the time to fix a problem that prevented VW from selling certain diesels in the US

“They don’t take no for an answer,” said one former employee who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution from the VW.

Also, when some of the emissions violations were brought to VW’s attention by regulators in the US in 2014, the automaker disputed the findings and questioned the test results, fighting the Environmental Protection Agency for more than a year.

“Someone had to approve it initially and keep approving it for seven or eight years, and then start lying about it more when it was discovered,” Brauer said.

A VW spokesman in the US wouldn’t comment Wednesday on the analysts’ statements.

Mueller also said in the interview in the daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that a recall of 2.8 million cars with the software could start in Germany in January. That wouldn’t include cars in the US, where any fix still must be approved by the EPA and California regulators.

He said many of the cars being recalled won’t need much fixing, merely an adjustment to the software. Others, though, may require mechanical fixes such as new injectors or catalyzers.

“All the cars should be in order by the end of 2016,” he added.

He also said not all 11 million cars will need to be recalled.

Mueller, who became CEO less than two weeks ago when Martin Winterkorn resigned over the scandal, said the cars have different transmissions and country-specific designs. “So we don’t need three solutions, but thousands,” he said.

source: business.inquirer.net

Volkswagen CEO: ‘I am endlessly sorry’ brand is tarnished

DETROIT — Volkswagen AG’s smog-test scandal escalated Tuesday as the company acknowledged putting stealth software in millions of vehicles worldwide. The crisis has already cost VW more than 24 billion euros ($26 billion) in market value.

The world’s top-selling carmaker now admits that 11 million of its diesel vehicles contain software that evades emissions controls, far more than the 482,000 cars identified by the US Environmental Protection Agency as violating clean air laws.

Volkswagen set aside an initial 6.5 billion euros ($7.3 billion) to cover the fallout and “win back the trust” of customers. It also said this year’s profit projections will change, and warned that future costs remain undetermined.

CEO Martin Winterkorn apologized for the deception under his leadership and pledged a fast and thorough investigation, but gave no indication that he might resign. Meanwhile, Volkswagen’s ordinary shares fell another 20 percent Tuesday, to close at 111.20 euros.

“Millions of people across the world trust our brands, our cars and our technologies,” Winterkorn said Tuesday in a video message. “I am endlessly sorry that we have disappointed this trust. I apologize in every way to our customers, to authorities and the whole public for the wrongdoing.”

“We are asking, I am asking for your trust on our way forward,” he said.

That may be a tall order for people who bought “clean diesel” VWs believing they could get peppy rides but still be environmentally friendly.

“I thought I was doing something good and not something bad,” said Zandy Hartig, an actress in Los Angeles who bought a diesel-powered Jetta Sportswagen in 2013.

She plans to get it repaired, but says she’ll never buy a Volkswagen again. “It’s not a design flaw. It’s deliberately manipulating the system, and it’s quite evil,” Hartig said.

VW has yet to explain who installed the software, under what direction, and why.

“I do not have the answers to all the questions at this point myself, but we are in the process of clearing up the background relentlessly,” Winterkorn said.

The EPA said Friday that VW faces potential fines of $37,500 per vehicle, and that anyone found personally responsible is subject to $3,750 per violation.

In theory, the penalties could total $18 billion or more, although companies rarely pay maximum fines in the US

“I don’t think this is a life-threatening event, but it’s clear it’s going to be very expensive,” said Christian Stadler, who teaches strategic management at the Warwick Business School.

Volkswagen blamed unrelated issues for more than a year while the EPA and California regulators asked why its cars were running much dirtier on the road. The agencies refused to approve 2016 models without an answer.

Only then did VW acknowledge that software switches its engines to a cleaner mode during official emissions testing. The “defeat device” then switches off again, giving the cars more power while emitting as much as 40 times the legal pollution limit during actual driving, the EPA said.

“Let’s be clear about this. Our company was dishonest. With the EPA, and the California Air Resources Board, and with all of you. And in my German words, we have totally screwed up,” the head of Volkswagen’s US division, Michael Horn, said Monday while unveiling a new Passat model in New York.

Across the sector, investors wondered how far this scandal could grow. Germany’s Daimler AG, the maker of Mercedes-Benz cars, was down 7 percent Tuesday, while BMW AG fell 6 percent. France’s Renault SA was 7.1 percent lower.

“Brands are all about trust and it takes years and years to develop. But in the space of 24 hours, Volkswagen has gone from one people could trust to one people don’t know what to think of,” said Nigel Currie, an independent U.K.-based branding consultant.

Volkswagen’s stock plunged again Tuesday after the company said similar “discrepancies” in Type EA 189 engines involve some 11 million vehicles worldwide — more than the 10 million or so cars it sold last year.

It also said new vehicles with EU 6 diesel engines currently on sale in the European Union comply with legal requirements and environmental standards.

The company hasn’t revealed the results of internal investigations, beyond announcing the much wider impact on Tuesday.

“I hope that the facts will be put on the table as quickly as possible,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in Berlin.

It may already be too late for people like Peggy Schaeffer, a librarian from Durham, North Carolina, who bought her diesel Jetta Sportwagen in 2010. She had liked Volkswagens, and “until this week, I was completely happy with it,” she said.

Now, she’s dismayed to know that during a recent cross-country trip, she was “polluting all the way.” And if Volkswagen’s eventual repair diminishes her car’s sportiness or fuel efficiency, she’s not sure she wants it.

“I really feel like I’ve been had. I’ve been hoodwinked. This is deliberate fraud and deceit,” she said.

Winterkorn became CEO in 2007. The software was installed starting with 2009 models. He was looking forward to getting a two-year contract extension, keeping him in charge through 2018, at the company’s regular board meeting Friday. Some board members reportedly planned a crisis meeting Wednesday.

Other authorities looking into VW’s actions include Germany, where the transport minister announced a commission of inquiry to determine whether VW’s diesel vehicles comply with German and European rules; the French government, which demanded that its automakers “ensure that no such actions are taking place in France,” the South Korean government and the European Commission. The US Justice Department is involved, and New York’s attorney general also announced a multi-state investigation on Tuesday.

source: business.inquirer.net

Google’s new self-driving cars cruising Silicon Valley roads

SAN FRANCISCO, United States — The latest models of Google’s self-driving cars are now cruising the streets near the Internet company’s Silicon Valley headquarters as an ambitious project to transform the way people get around shifts into its next phase.

This marks the first time that the pod-like, two-seat vehicles have been allowed on public roads since Google unveiled the next generation of its self-driving fleet more than a year ago. The cars had previously been confined to a private track on a former Air Force base located about 120 miles southeast of San Francisco.

Google announced last month that it would begin testing the curious-looking cars last month, but hadn’t specified the timing until Tuesday when it disclosed the vehicles are driving up to 25 miles per hour on the roads around its Mountain View, California, office.

Google had installed its robotic driving technology in Lexus sports utility vehicles and Toyota Priuses during the first few years of testing before developing the smaller prototype. The new models are designed to work without a steering wheel or brake pedal, although the vehicles will be equipped with those features during the initial runs on public roads.

A human will also ride in the cars to take control in emergencies, just as has been the case with the self-driving Lexus vehicles during the past six years.

The debut of the pod-like car will help Google get a better understanding on how well its technology works around other vehicles steered by people.

Last year, Google Inc. told reporters it hoped to have a 100 of the self-driving prototypes in its fleet by now, but the company said it has only built 25 of them so far. All 25 have received permission from California’s Department of Motor Vehicles to drive neighborhood roads.

If all goes well, Google hopes to gain regulatory clearance to remove the steering wheel, brake pedal and emergency driver from the prototype. Company executives have expressed hope that self-driving cars using its technology will be joining the flow of daily traffic by the end of this decade.

The earlier models of Google’s self-driving cars had been involved in 13 minor accidents through more than 1.8 million miles on the roads, according to the company. Google blamed the collisions on other vehicles in every instance except one when the company says one of its own employees was steering.

Motorists who encounter Google’s latest self-driving car while they are in Mountain can share their experience with the company at http://www.google.com/selfdrivingcar/contact/www.google.com/selfdrivingcar/contact/ .

source: technology.inquirer.net

Bruce Jenner involved in car crash, one person dead

Former Olympic athlete and TV celebrity Bruce Jenner (aka the stepfather of the Kardashians) was involved in a massive car crash in California. According to celebrity website TMZ, the accident happened on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu around noon Saturday. Four vehicles were damaged when Jenner reportedly rear ended a white Lexus LS sedan with his Cadillac Escalade SUV. The Lexus was coming to a stop at a red light when Jenner’s car hit the sedan. The Lexus then hit a Prius and ran into oncoming traffic, and crashed into a Hummer. The driver of the Lexus died and seven others were injured.

Jenner was towing a all-terrain vehicle at that time and was reportedly being chased by as many as five paparazzi. Jenner told the police that he had not been drinking and passed a field sobriety test. He was taken into custody.

source: motioncars.inquirer.net

How much could you save on auto insurance?

Of all the monthly expenses we endure that have any chance of being reduced, auto insurance is right near the top of the list.

When it comes to auto insurance, a little comparison shopping could result in a savings of hundreds–and sometimes thousands–of dollars. 

Following these guidelines can help reduce your auto insurance bill.


First, it pays to shop around. Instead of settling for the first quote you receive, do some comparison shopping, inquiring with at least three different insurers to get the best price–keeping in mind that the company’s customer satisfaction ratings and its overall reputation also count for a lot.
If you increase your deductible, you could also save on your premiums. The more you increase your deductible, the greater the savings you could achieve on your premium.


If you have an older car, you may not need collision or comprehensive coverage. As a general rule, it doesn’t make sense to buy comprehensive and collision coverage for a car worth less than $1,000, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). If you don’t have an old car and, in fact, are buying a new vehicle, keep in mind that certain types of cars cost far more to insure than others. There’s big difference between the lofty insurance premiums you’re likely to face with a slick sports car as compared to the significantly lower rate that a small sport-utility vehicle (SUV) would command.


It also pays to shop around for different discounts, such as low-mileage discounts if you work at home or have a very short daily commute; car safety discounts if your vehicle has air bags, anti-lock brakes or a car alarm; good student discounts; marriage discounts; and more.

A clean driving record free of accidents, moving violations and claims; and a good credit history are other factors bound to work in your favor in your quest for a low auto insurance premium.

source: smarterlifestyles.com

Dennis Trillo son in school bus collision

MANILA, Philippines — At least six schoolchildren, including the son of actor Dennis Trillo, were taken to the hospital after two school vans collided in Quezon City on Tuesday morning.

The school services of Xavier School and Malayan High School of Science collided at the intersection of Speaker Perez and N. Roxas Streets in Barangay (village) Lourdes at 5:45 a.m., causing slight injuries to some of the student passengers.

The driver of the Malayan school carrier (TXF-527), Jerry Lito Papa, 45, was ferrying two 15-year-old students, who were his son and his niece, along Roxas Street heading to Tuazon Street.

The driver of the Xavier school van (TWT-945), Rasmur Padios, 24, was ferrying four students aged 7 to 12 on Speaker Perez Street heading to Banawe Street.

Chief Insp. Diogenes Amor, head of the Balintawak traffic sector covering the area, said when the two vans collided bumper to bumper at the intersection, the impact was so strong it pushed both vehicles off-course.

The Malayan school carrier veered to the right and ended up slamming into a concrete wall, and the Xavier school van went crashing into an electric post to the left.

Amor said in an interview the students sustained only slight injuries such as grazes, but were taken to the hospital just the same as a precaution. Some of the children were taken to the Chinese General Hospital and the others to the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center.

Amor quoted Padios as saying that one of the seven-year-old passengers on the Xavier van was the son of actor Dennis Trillo with beauty queen Carlene Aguilar. The boy sustained no injuries but was taken to the hospital anyway, Amor said.

As both drivers refused to admit they were to blame for the accident, and only pointed to each other as the one at fault, Amor said the police will file complaints against both for reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property and multiple injuries.

“We will file a case against both for the parents of the victims. It will be up to the prosecutor to determine who to file charges against,” Amor said.

Investigators surmised that based from the impact of the collision, both vehicles were speeding, Amor said. But Amor also quoted residents as saying that the intersection was accident-prone.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Mazda 3 2.0 R Sport: Are you ready for the best?

The Mazda 3 2.0 R Sport is in many ways the very best in the shrinking C-segment.

MANILA, Philippines–Mazda Philippines recently celebrated its best-ever quarter with unprecedented sales figures since Berjaya Automotive took over the reins of Mazda in the country. With amazing vehicles such as the Mazda 6 executive sedan, the CX-5 compact SUV, and now the B-segment buster Mazda 3, it’s hard not to see why Mazda is now finally a mainstream contender for our pockets and garage spaces.

The Mazda 3 2.0 R Sport is in many ways the very best in the shrinking C-segment. It has it all: ravishing looks thanks to its “Kodo: Soul of Motion” design theme from Mazda; a very stiff and solid chassis; classy interior that mimics the best of what Germany has to offer; a very engaging, sporty driving experience; and finally a well-built, well-screwed-together vehicle that can stand toe-to-toe with the likes of Toyota and Honda for peerless build quality.

Very swoopy

Outside, the shape is very aggressive, very swoopy. The radiator grill is huge, letting cool air inside the engine bay, and for air intake. A lip spoiler helps give a bit more aggression and the large wheels fill out the wheel wells perfectly with a very modest fender gap. HID headlights and fog lights round out the exterior cues.

Getting in, driving position is excellent: You can easily find a comfortable seating position, be it racecar-like low or with an upright and commanding view of the road ahead. The gorgeous three-spoke steering wheel is very inviting, and the all-electric power steering boasts very good feel while being light at parking lot speeds.

Perforated ivory white leather seats with black inserts cover everything, giving off an exotic feel. You also get the interior’s pièce de résistance: a very intuitive multimedia system that seamlessly connects to your mobile device via Bluetooth for audio streaming and hands-free telephone operation.

Arguably, it also has the easiest-to-use satellite navigation system that has 2D top-view or semi-3D view from its 7-inch LCD screen, which easily displays all major points of interest. Indeed it was such a breeze to use that my wife and I discovered two really good restaurants 10 minutes away from our house—previously, neither I nor my wife ever knew that they existed!

On our way to the two restaurants, I enjoyed listening to MP3-grade music from the excellent Bose surround sound system. The multimedia system is controlled by a multidirection knob in the center console, much like BMW’s iDrive, with easy access buttons for the audio, navigation and home menus.

Just like race cars

The three-spoke steering wheel has paddle shifters for manual override control of the six-speed automatic. It opens up to a very slim, racey single binnacle instrument panel that displays the tachometer right in the middle, just like race cars and exotic sports cars with digital readouts for the speed along with a heads-up display on the windshield.

You get fuel-level readings on the right side, with a variety of information such as outside temperature on top. To the left is the trip meter and odometer.

Driving excitement

The MacPherson strut front and multilink rear suspension provide a very firm and sporty yet still-compliant ride, giving you all the driving excitement you need. On the other hand, while the 2.0 SkyActiv engine delivers a modest 155 horsepower and 200 Newton-meters of torque, the six-speed automatic transmission delivers almost all of it with less drivetrain loss than its competitors.

The slushbox also benefits from SkyActiv technology, which means torque-converter lockup is faster, giving you better acceleration and response.

It’s also pretty safe: You get dual front airbags, curtain airbags, ABS brakes with EBD function, and stability control.

So how is it to drive? In a word: Sublime. Whether you’re going flat out fast or just pootling around in traffic, the Mazda 3 feels so much connected to your brain. It’s amazing that a car of this price and in this segment offers so much feel and connectedness to the driver.

On the straights, it’s fine and actually feels more powerful than what its 155 HP/200 Nm of torque rating suggests. Interestingly, Mazda achieved this rating using 91-93 RON fuel. Switching to higher octane fuel should theoretically help give more power, but Mazda recommends sticking to 91-93 RON fuel for better balance of power and efficiency.

Turns in aggressively

When the road gets tight and twisty, (Wow!) the Mazda 3 turns in aggressively, corners confidently and exits each turn after nailing the clipping point gracefully—giving just enough roll to help you gauge how much mechanical grip is left and before the electronic nannies kick in.

The low-profile 225/45R18 tires rolling on massive (for this segment) piano black 18×7.5 alloy wheels do give a bit of harshness but still offer enough compliance to tame bumpy surfaces without the Mazda 3 feeling skittish and uneasy.

With respect to this alone, every other car manufacturer should take heed and follow suit as Mazda has judged this aspect perfectly. The brakes are more than a match for the grunt, and gives off a firm, easily modulated and confident feel when the going gets fast and furious.

The i-Stop engine start-stop function in idle can save as much as 0.5 kilometers per liter, according to other independent tests; and the i-ELOOP regenerative braking helps save more fuel. Fuel economy stayed between 7.5-9 kpl in city driving, and an impressive 17-18 kpl at a steady 100-120 km per hour cruise on the highway from a new, tight engine. Expect more efficiency as the engine frees up on these Mazdas.

If the hatchback isn’t your thing (I personally prefer the hatch because the interior is more versatile: You can drop the seats down and carry larger, bulkier objects than the sedan), there is a sedan variant with all the goodies of the hatchback, save for the interior trim and wheel color (silver wheels and black leather with red stitching come with the sedan).

Finally a C-segment competitor that delivers on its promise of performance, looks and build quality—Mazda has raised the bar with the 3. Now everyone else has to catch up.

source: motioncars.inquirer.net

Will it be refund or replacement for a ‘lemon’ car? Owners to know soon

MANILA—The Department of Trade and Industry plans to publish by November the implementing rules and regulations of the Philippine Lemon Law, which seeks to protect consumers from business and trade malpractices related to the sale of motor vehicles.

“In preparation for the implementation of the said law, the DTI [is preparing] for the drafting of the IRR with its Consumer Protection and Advocacy Bureau at the forefront of this task,” the agency said in a statement.

“The CPAB is currently in the process of forming the technical working group for the drafting of the IRR which will be composed of the Department of Transportation and Communications and other relevant government agencies, and members from the private and consumer sectors to effectively implement the provisions of the Lemon Law,” it added.

Republic Act No. 10642 or the Philippine Lemon Law was signed by President Aquino last July 15 and will take effect by August 7 this year.

Under the Philippine Lemon Law, consumers who purchase a brand new car and experience defects in the course of one year may demand either a refund or replacement if after four repair attempts by the manufacturer, distributor, authorized dealer or retailer, the defects remain unresolved.

“Consumers are now appeased that their rights and welfare in the sale of motor vehicles will be protected against business and trade malpractices, and that redress is readily available for them at the DTI,” said Trade Undersecretary Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba.

The DTI will be the sole implementing agency of RA 10642, which means that it will be responsible for providing remedies in disputes related to the availment of rights provided for under the Lemon Law.

Prior to the Lemon Law, the DTI had been implementing the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system in addressing consumer complaints. This system will still be used by the agency under the newly enacted law.

“Even prior to the enactment of the Philippine Lemon Law, the DTI has already resolved certain cases related to motor vehicles not conforming to the standards and specifications of its manufacturer or distributor. Therefore, the Department is very much able and ready to provide what is expected from us with regards to consumer redress and the implementation of RA 10624,” Dimagiba said.

To assist businesses and consumers in understanding the Philippine Lemon Law, the DTI will soon be issuing a fact sheet containing the salient points of the law within the week.

source: business.inquirer.net

Britain to trial driverless cars from 2015

LONDON–Driverless cars will be allowed on British roads from January 2015 as part of a pilot initiative in three cities, the government announced Wednesday.

Cities nationwide are being invited to bid to host one of a series of trials that will last between 18 and 36 months, and to receive a share of the £10 million ($17 million, 12.5 million euros) of government funding for the scheme.

Driverless vehicles, guided by a system of sensors and cameras, have already been tested in several countries, including the United States and Japan, with Sweden set to follow.

Business Secretary Vince Cable, outlining the plans, said British scientists and engineers were “pioneers” in the development of driverless vehicles.

“Today’s announcement will see driverless cars take to our streets in less than six months, putting us at the forefront of this transformational technology and opening up new opportunities for our economy and society,” he said at the headquarters of motor industry research organisation MIRA in Nuneaton, central England.

However, motoring organizations warned that road users were skeptical of the technology.

The Automobile Association said a recent survey of more than 23,000 of its members showed that 43 percent did not agree that the law should be changed to allow trials of the technology.

AA president Edmund King said drivers were “still resistant to change” and that many people “enjoy driving too much to ever want the vehicle to take over from them.”

Another motoring association, the RAC, said it would be difficult for drivers to give up control of their vehicles.

RAC technical director David Bizley said: “Many vehicles already have features such as automatic braking and it is claimed that driverless technology is able to identify hazards more effectively than a person can.

“But many motorists will be concerned about not being able to control the speed of their vehicle for the conditions or layout of the road in front of them,” he added.

source: technology.inquirer.net

Google building car with no steering wheel

LOS ANGELES—Google is building a car without a steering wheel.

Sergey Brin, co-founder of the technology titan, told a Southern California tech conference Tuesday evening that Google will make 100 prototype cars that drive themselves — and therefore do not need a wheel. Or brake and gas pedals.

Instead, there are buttons for go and stop.

A combination of sensors and computing power takes the driving from there.

To date, Google has driven hundreds of thousands of miles on public roads with Lexus SUVs and Toyota Priuses outfitted with the special equipment.

This prototype is the first Google will have built for itself.

It won’t be for sale, and Google is unlikely to go deeply into auto manufacturing. In a blog post, the company emphasized partnering with other firms.

source: technology.inquirer.net

GM recalls 3 million more cars worldwide

General Motors has announced the recall of nearly three million vehicles worldwide, with most of the cars, 2.71 million, in the United States. GM says that five recalls affect 2.99 million vehicles.

The recalls cover:

    -2,440,524 previous generation passenger cars for taillamp malfunctions
    -103,158 previous generation Chevrolet Corvettes for loss of low-beam head lamps
    -140,067 Chevrolet Malibus from the 2014 model year for hydraulic brake booster malfunctions
    -19,225 Cadillac CTS 2013-2014 models for windshield wiper failures
    -477 full-size trucks from the 2014 and 2015 model years for a tie-rod defect that can lead to a crash

The largest recall involves 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 and 2007-2010 Saturn Auras model cars in U.S. to modify the brake lamp wiring harness.

Affected vehicles could have corrosion develop in the wiring harness for the body control module due to micro-vibration. The condition could result in brake lamps failing to illuminate when the brakes are applied or brake lamps illuminating when the brakes are not engaged.  Additionally, cruise control, traction control, electronic stability control and panic braking assist operation could be disabled.

GM is aware of several hundred complaints, 13 crashes and two injuries but no fatalities as a result of the condition. The company issued a technical service bulletin in 2008 and conducted a safety campaign for a small population of 2005 model year vehicles in January 2009.

The second safety recall covers 111,889 Chevrolet Corvettes from the 2005-2007 model years for potential loss of low-beam headlamp operation Models from 2008-2013 will be covered under a Customer Satisfaction Program. All repairs will be at no cost to customers.

When the engine is warm, the underhood electrical center housing could expand, causing the headlamp low-beam relay control circuit wire to bend slightly. After the wire is repeatedly bent, it can fracture and separate. When this occurs, the low-beam headlamps will not illuminate. As the housing cools and contracts, the low-beam headlamp function may return. This condition does not affect the high-beam headlamps, marker lamps, turn signals, daytime running lamps or fog lamps. Loss of low beam headlamps when they are required could reduce the driver’s visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

GM is aware of several hundred complaints as result of the condition but no crashes, injuries or fatalities.

The third recall covers 140,067 Chevrolet Malibus from the 2014 model year with 2.5L engines and stop/start technology. These vehicles are subject to the disabling of hydraulic brake boost that can require greater pedal efforts and extended stopping distances. Dealers will reprogram the electronic brake control module. The issue was discovered in testing of a future model with similar technology. GM is aware of four crashes but it is not clear that these are related to the condition. No injuries are known from those crashes.

The fourth recall covers 19,225 Cadillac CTS from the 2013-2014 model year for a condition in which the windshield wiper system may become inoperable after a vehicle jump start with wipers active and restricted, such as by ice and snow. Potential lack of visibility could increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the front wiper module free of charge. GM is unaware of any crashes or injuries due to the condition.

The fifth recall involves certain 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light duty pickups and 2015 model year Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs. The tie rod threaded attachment to the steering gear rack in these vehicles may not be tightened to specification. With this condition, the tie rod can separate from the steering rack and a crash could occur without prior warning. Customers are being contacted and told to have their vehicles taken by flatbed to their dealer, where the inner tie rods will be inspected for correct torque, and, if necessary, the steering gear will be replaced. The repair procedure was being sent to dealers and owner letters sent by overnight mail to customers on May 14. The issue was discovered and corrected during assembly after the small number of vehicles was released.

GM expects to take a charge of up to approximately $200 million in the second quarter, primarily for the cost of recall-related repairs announced in the quarter.

The new recalls came as the largest US automaker faces numerous lawsuits and government and congressional investigations following a delayed recall of millions of cars for faulty ignition switches linked to 13 deaths.

The ignition problem was detected at the pre-production stage as early as 2001, but the company waited until February this year to begin recalling the affected vehicles.

GM’s chief executive Mary Barra, who took the company’s job in January, has pledged to aggressively address the automaker’s safety and quality problems.

The costs of the multiple recalls are piling up. In the first quarter, GM took a $1.3 billion charge that included a $700 million expense for the 2.6 million cars recalled worldwide for faulty ignition switches and ignition cylinders.

Other recalls, totaling 4.5 million vehicles, cost $600 million.

source: motioncars.inquirer.net

GM recalling 57,131 SUVs for defective fuel gauges

DETROIT—General Motors is recalling 57,131 SUVs because the fuel gauges may show inaccurate readings.

The recall involves the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia from the 2014 model year. All of the affected SUVs were built between March 26 and Aug. 15 of 2013.

GM says the engine control module software may cause the fuel gauge to read inaccurately. If that happens, the vehicle might run out of fuel and stall without warning.

The company doesn’t know of any crashes or injuries related to the problem.

GM says dealers will reprogram the software for free, starting immediately.

The recall includes 3,275 SUVs exported to various countries, in addition to those sold in Canada and Mexico.

The recall was posted Saturday on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Web site.

source: business.inquirer.net

BMW recalls 156,000 cars and SUVs

DETROIT — BMW is recalling more than 156,000 cars and SUVs in the U.S. because the engines can lose power or stall.

The recall covers multiple models from 2010 through 2012. It includes some 128i, 328i, Z4, 135i, 335i, 528i, 535i and 640i cars. Also covered are many X3, X5, and X6 SUVs.

The German automaker says bolts that hold a camshaft housing can loosen and break. That can cause reduced power or stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says dealers will replace bolts at no cost to owners. The company expects the recall to start in May.

BMW says another 170,000 vehicles from 2010 through 2012 with inline six-cylinder engines will not be recalled, but will receive an extended warranty due to the problem.

source: business.inquirer.net

Fiat-Chrysler to produce iconic Jeep in China from 2015

SHANGHAI—Automaker Fiat-Chrysler said on Saturday that it would begin producing the iconic American brand Jeep in China from 2015 to meet demand in the world’s largest car market.

Fiat-Chrysler—created by Italy’s Fiat acquiring Chrysler of the United States—will produce three Jeep sport utility vehicle (SUV) models in China, including one specifically designed for the Chinese market, the company said in a statement.

The announcement came ahead of the Beijing auto show, which opens to the public on Monday, as global automakers flock to China to show off their latest models.

Jeeps are currently available to Chinese consumers as imports, the statement said, adding nearly 60,000 Jeeps were sold in China last year, making the country the largest market for the brand outside of the United States.

Fiat-Chrysler will produce Jeep vehicles through its existing joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. (GAC) but at a new manufacturing branch in the southern city of Guangzhou, it said.

Plans to produce Jeeps in China set off a political storm during the 2012 US presidential election campaign, after Republican candidate Mitt Romney ran an attack ad implying that it would export American jobs.

But Fiat has previously said plans to build Jeep vehicles in China were an expansion, not a transfer, of operations.

Fiat-Chrysler and GAC already produce other vehicles, including the Viaggio sedan, at a factory in the central city of Changsha. GAC was China’s sixth largest domestic automaker by sales in 2013, according to an industry group.

China has become critical to foreign automakers as the world’s biggest auto market, but Fiat was conspicuous by its absence with local production until it began selling domestically-produced cars in 2012.

Last year, China’s auto sales surged 13.9 percent to 21.98 million vehicles, according to a Chinese industry group, as a recovery in Japanese brands previously hurt by a diplomatic row offset the impact of slowing economic growth.

source: business.inquirer.net

Toyota recalls 6.39 million vehicles worldwide

TOKYO—Toyota on Wednesday recalled 6.39 million vehicles worldwide for five different problems, dealing another blow to the world’s largest automaker whose reputation for quality and safety has been dented in recent years.

Despite record sales and bumper profits, Toyota has been fighting to protect its brand after millions of earlier recalls and in the wake of a $1.2 billion settlement last month to settle US criminal charges.

In October 2012, Toyota announced a global recall of 7.43 million vehicles, including its popular Camry and Corolla models, over a possible fire risk, while in February it recalled 1.9 million of its signature Prius hybrid cars.

On Wednesday, the firm’s Tokyo-listed shares took a hit, falling 3.07 percent to 5,450 yen ($53) by the close.

Toyota announced five separate recalls involving 26 Toyota models, as well as the Pontiac Vibe and the Subaru Trezia.

“Since a few models are involved in more than one recall, the total number of vehicles that will be remedied is 6.39 million,” Toyota said in an e-mail.

Among the problems are a driver’s seat defect, steering column problems, and an engine starter glitch that poses a fire risk, the company said.

The vehicles affected include the Corolla sedan, the RAV4 sport utility vehicle and Yaris subcompact.

Toyota said it had received two reports about fires owing to the starter defect, but added that none of the issues had caused any accidents to its knowledge.

The vehicles, made over the past decade, include 1.08 million in Japan, 2.3 million in North America, about 770,000 in Europe and 62,000 in China, Toyota said.

In March, the Japanese automaker agreed to pay $1.2 billion to settle US criminal charges that it lied to safety regulators and the public as it tried to cover up deadly accelerator defects.

Dozens of deaths were blamed on the problems, which caused vehicles to speed out of control and fail to respond to the brake.

Toyota eventually recalled 12 million vehicles worldwide in 2009 and 2010 at a cost of $2.4 billion as the scandal over sudden, unintended acceleration spread and tarnished its once-stellar reputation.

In reaching the settlement, Toyota admitted that it lied when it insisted in 2009 that it had addressed the “root cause” of the problem by fixing floor mats that could trap the accelerator.

As part of the cover-up, Toyota scrapped plans to fix the “sticky pedal” defect in the United States and instructed employees and its parts supplier not to put anything about the design changes in writing.

The latest recall came as Japan’s Jiji Press news agency said Wednesday that Toyota’s global sales in the fiscal year to March topped 10 million units for the first time.

The company, which declined to comment on the report, kept the title of world’s biggest automaker last year sales of 9.98 million vehicles, outpacing Germany’s Volkswagen and General Motors, and said it expects 2014 to become the first to break the 10 million vehicle sales barrier in a calendar year.

Toyota has tipped a record fiscal year profit after more than doubling its nine-month earnings to $15 billion thanks to the yen’s sharp decline and surging sedan sales.

A weak yen has been a major coup for Japan’s automakers as it boosts their competitiveness overseas and inflates repatriated profits.

source: business.inquirer.net