Profit drop halves such as vehicle sales to defense Oshkosh 46 pct

Oct 31 (Reuters) - Oshkosh Corporation, a manufacturer of specialty trucks, a 54 percent decline in quarterly profit as sales in the defense of the company crashed reported by spending cuts by the US Department of Defense.

Oshkosh attributable to 30 from $78.9 million, or 41 cents per share on $36.3, in the fourth quarter Sept. million, or 86 cents a share, fell a year earlier.

Sales in the defense of the company fell about 46 percent to $513,8 million.

Total revenue amounted to $1.73 billion 15.8 percent.

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Toyota expects US speed up case after $3 million judgment

Oct 25 (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp. reached a lawsuit in the United States about unintended acceleration problems to solve, one day after a jury the Japanese carmaker is liable a deal on Friday and found defects to pay child causes $3 million for a fatal accident in 2007.

A jury in Oklahoma on Thursday ordered the company to pay $3 million damages to Jean Bookout, a driver, the 2007 crash and the family of Barbara Schwarz, who was killed, injured. Jurors were planned, again advises on Friday whether to award punitive damages against Toyota.

Before the jury could reach a decision, Toyota announced, and lawyers for the plaintiffs reached a confidential settlement on damages of any kind, to resolve the case.

The dispute is to address one of the first with acceleration issues to court, as similar concerns Toyota 2009 to recall millions of vehicles to prompted. The suit alleges that defects in the software in the electronic throttle control system of Sulu's 2005 Camry caused it accelerate out of control and crash to kill black.

"While we strongly with the ruling did not agree, we are satisfied that the parties resolve a settlement agreed to in this case" Toyota spokeswoman Carly Schaffner said in a statement.

A lawyer for the plaintiffs, J. Cole Portis, said, welcomes the decision of the jury. "We are convinced that Toyota behavior from the time the electronic throttle control system developed, was a disgrace," said Portis in a statement. "We appreciate that the jury has had the courage to let Toyota and the public know that Toyota was reckless."

The case is the first defeat for Toyota in a number of early studies on questions of acceleration, which prompted hundreds of lawsuits across the country in the wake of the recalls. The Camry 2005 goes in the trial Oklahoma was not included in the recalls.

In two earlier trials in Brooklyn, New York and California, Toyota of the warranty acquitted alleged acceleration-like.

Were about 200 proposed class-action lawsuits and more than 500 individual cases filed against Toyota since February 2009 about the alleged acceleration problems according to a regulatory filing by the company.

Toyota has already agreed to a settlement worth $1.6 billion claims for economic losses, such as cost or lowered resale value, to repair to solve issues of the acceleration. The settlement not on personal injury or wrongful execution.

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Volkswagen to invest $236 million in Brazil auto plant

SAO PAULO, Oct 3 Reuters)-German automaker Volkswagen AG plans to 520 million reais (235.9 million$) first meeting his latest golf model in Brazil to invest, CEO Thomas Schmall said on Thursday.

The new golf factory in the southern state of Parana raises Volkswagen car production capacity in Brazil by 20 percent to 1,000 vehicles per day, Schmall said after a meeting with Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff in Brasilia.

He said construction had already begun and the production should begin in two years.

Volkswagen announcement comes two days after German auto manufacturer Daimler said that it would invest $230 million to build a factory for the production of Mercedes-Benz c-class and GLA cars.

With 3.8 million vehicles sold in the last year, Brazil is the world's fourth-largest car market after China, the United States and Japan. Their premium boys in size, however, is and amounts to only about 1 percent of sales, raised partly because of heavy duties on imports.

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Jaguar Land Rover, new $160 million € in the year 2016 to open R & D centre in the UK

LONDON, Sept 24 Reuters) – British carmaker Jaguar Land Rover on Tuesday said that it is planning a 100 million pound ($160 million) research and development open to create a centre in the United Kingdom in the year 2016 to be the next generation of vehicle technologies.

Based at Warwick University in Central England, innovation campus (NAIC) used national automotive industry to develop new technologies for electric cars and vehicles connections, among other things, said JLR.

The carmaker, owned by India's Tata Motors, said that around 1,000 scientists and engineers would work in the middle. Some 200 JLR researchers and engineers are already located at Warwick University.

JLR is the lead partner in the project and the rest from the Tata Motors European technical centre, Warwick manufacturing group and the Government of higher education funding Council invested £ 50 million in the project.

"This joint research programmes will use the best of UK engineering innovation and with the additional features that you expect, the NAIC gives us the number and selection of new, fresh innovative ideas we patent, and drive to produce in the future significantly increase", said JLRs head of research of Antony Harper.

Construction of the new Center is to begin in September of next year.

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VW to invest $529 million in Audi, golf production in Brazil

SAO PAULO, Sept 17 Reuters)-German automaker Volkswagen AG will soon be investments of 1.2 billion reais (529 million$) announce in Brazil start local Assembly of its newest golf model and start local production of Audi-premium Division spokesperson for the State of Parana, the Reuters news agency.

11 Local time (1400 GMT) on Tuesday, as the carmaker plans for an overseas expansion does, to get a luxury leader BMW, Audi Chief Rupert Stadler meet President Dilma Rousseff in Brasilia.

Audi movement comprises the steps of the Brazilian Government, the taxes on imported vehicles and offer tax incentives for automakers, which increase domestic investment increase.

Instead of building a new plant No. 4-car market in the world as German rivals like BMW, Audi 504 million reais facilities of the VW factory in São José Dos of pinhais, outside the capital of Paraná, expand you will invest, the spokesman said.

Audi Ingolstadt-based expected production in Brazil in the year 2015 start and producing 26,000 of the compact a3 annually within three years, he said. The plant will produce also the compact SUV Q3.

Next week, VW will announce also an investment of 700 million reais for the preparation of production of its new golf model at the factory, according to the spokesman.

Audi Press Office in Brazil went to comment, the information and a Volkswagen representative was not immediately available.

BMW said in October that it spend 200 million euros ($267 million) on a factory in the State of Santa Catarina in Brazil and end of 2014, with the aim of starting production there to make about 30,000 vehicles per year in the country.

Rising wages, Brazil have made especially for scarce, highly qualified professionals, a bright spot in the global market for luxury goods. But Honda Motor Co Ltd and General Motors co said that luxury car sales in Brazil still too small to keep, so that there is a basis for the manufacture of their upscale offerings.

Brazil is not a new country for Audi. First is entered into the market, in 1999, when she started, building A3 at the site of Paraná jointly developed with VW. But Audi kept its assembly line at the factory in 2006.

Audi builds now all over the world to his goal to meet, replace BMW as the world's best-selling premium carmaker by the end of the Decade. The brand broke ground for a new plant in Mexico in May and to open a factory in Foshan, China, this year.

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Chevy back in the game for Super Bowl adfest

Chevrolet will be back in the lineup when the teams take on the field in Super Bowl XLVIII, a reversal controversial 2012 decision to the pull out, what is the most watched annual event of television - and a program to see that millions of Americans so much for advertising for football.

The decision is the last reversal of a number of widely-discussed decisions that General Motors global before his departure in July of 2012. GM has former marketing director, Joel Ewanick, also decided to test new opportunities on Facebook, a further marketing outlet, the Ewanick rejected before he himself was ousted because of a controversy surrounding expensive marketing relations with European football.

"The timing of the Super Bowl XLVIII perfect our aggressive car and truck home plans, lines with", said Tim Mahoney, the Chevrolet as its global chief marketing officer last February joined in. "The Super Bowl is a big stage for the presentation of the brand Chevrolet, and our newest cars and trucks."

According to Nielsen, February broadcast of the game Championship between the Baltimore Ravens and San Franicsco 49ers moved 108.7 million viewers - with more than 1 billion estimated that have observed around the world. But this is only one of the reasons why advertisers traditionally have dangers to snatch time during the broadcast of every open second.

SocialGuides 2013 Super Bowl advertising report that about 5.3 million people 26.1 million tweets sent during the game. And saw millions more after that Super Bowl advertising on YouTube and other outlets.

The costs are the downside. While the business rates depending on slices, place advertiser a 30-second spot on the 2012 Super Bowl broadcast, involved the last GM, ran between $3 million and $3.5 million. And the figure jumped as high as a reported $4 million for the 2013 game.

GM had initially only good to say about their presence 2012 ad go so far as to claim its place for the then-new Cadillac ATS that ever was "most-watched" commercial. But Mai Ewanick unexpectedly announced GM spent to break ongoing relationships in the NFL and a departure from the Super Bowl.

"It's all about efficiency," said the often controversial marketing Czar in relation to the expenses of the GM an estimated $4.5 billion marketing budget. "Every penny counts," he said. "If we allow for inefficiencies in anything we do, it's actually stopping."

It was just one of a number of unexpected movements which contain, cancel a $10 million budget for Facebook. GM was not the only customer at the time of the survey the advantages of advertising in the social media network. In fact even Facebook had improved its own ad results recognized.

But Ewanick rubbed salt into the wound by his announcement, and hard criticizing Facebook shortly before what a disastrous public warehouse first mission has become.

A more surprising twist as Ewanick things then took a massive thing for several British football teams, including powerhouse Manchester United sponsor announced.

But the marketing Czar was dropped weeks later and GM just suggested that there were irregularities in some stores, it is widely assumed had the problem with the way to do the soccer - or football, as Europeans prefer - much has been treated.

In recent months, GM has acquired a series of steps that some reversal of Ewanicks most important measures. The automakers emerged an unusual ad company Alliance, divided to take responsibility for the huge Chevrolet account.

In April, GM announced that it would launch a new test program to see whether Facebook could deliver on a new campaign.

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Chrysler denies recall of 2.7 million jeeps

Chrysler has denied a recall of older Jeep models such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999, the U.S. Department of labor have protected fuel tank behind the axle which leave them less say rear-end collisions in a collision.

Chrysler fights a request the recall Federal Government to 2.7 million Jeep vehicles in a highly unusual step for automakers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) asked to recall Chrysler Jeep models in question because of concerns the fuel tank leak and fatal fire contribute, where the cars in a collision from behind can be taken.

Chrysler is still formulating the Federal Government, but already started a formal response, deny the need for a callback in a press release Tuesday.

It is unclear how the dispute be resolved or how long the two sides about the safety of his two favorite Jeep models will fight.

The NHTSA request includes 2.7 million jeeps, specifically, 1993-2004 Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Liberty models. All vehicles have fuel tanks, which are located behind the rear axle. According to the NHTSA, 51 deaths with impact from behind have associated crashes, where trapped these models on fire, after he hit.

The Federal Agency's letter describes the problem saying: "the performance is defective, that the fuel tanks installed on these vehicles are subject to error when vehicles are struck from behind. Such failure lead leak fuel, which can result in the presence of external sources of ignition in the fire. Is design defect the placement of the fuel tanks in the position behind the axle and how they have been positioned, including their height above the ground."

The NHTSA is not specified, which believe it means, should be pursuing Chrysler to fix the problem, which it claims.

Chrysler has until June 18 to issue a formal response explaining why it the callback request is not satisfied.

In a written statement, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne defended the safety of the Jeep models in question, says: "the safety of drivers and passengers has long been the top priority for Chrysler brands and this commitment firm remains. The company stands behind the quality of its vehicles. "All of us continue with NHTSA data confirm the safety of these vehicles continue to work."

The 2.7 million jeeps met Federal vehicle safety standards, as they were made. The NHTSA is this claim in their letter to Chrysler, but don't think that's enough. "The existence of a minimum standard is not necessary for NHTSA, deadly problems to ignore."

So why is the Chrysler the callback challenge?

A source familiar with the situation, who asked to remain anonymous, says that the automaker believes that the proportion of fatal rear impact crashes jeeps not greater than the mortality rates for other vehicles crashes involved collision from the rear, which lead to a fire.

Goes like fatality rates for vehicles measured.

If you a look at the number of fatal rear impact crashes per million miles dangers, the Jeep rate according to sources, is low. In addition, the issue without a formal solution is proposed as Chrysler would ensure the safety of the jeeps.

It is rare when a vehicle manufacturers of request for a recall NHTSA locks.

Every year there are dozens of recalls and most of the time of the Federal Government, automakers and parts suppliers hold numerous discussions about the specific problem and how to fix it.

As an industry veteran, there is a healthy and vigorous debate, but finally everyone agrees, a solution.

So unusual, that makes Chrysler response to the callback request. It is compiled by the NHTSA evidence, including images many terrible accidents difficult.

Finally, Chrysler and the NHTSA should to negotiate some sort of settlement. Is this not the case, which could play out matter in a public hearing and be decided in court.

2013 CNBC © LLC. All rights reserved

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Toyota over $500 million invested U.S. Lexus production started

Paul Eisenstein, TheDetroitBureau.com - 1 day

Toyota Motor Co. President Akio Toyoda has confirmed today that the manufacturer more than 500 million investing $ to move in his Georgetown (Kentucky) for the production of one of its Lexus luxury cars in the United States for the first time.

The recently updated Lexus sedan will start rolling off the line of manufacturer's Georgetown plant by 2015, said Toyoda, grandson of the founder of the automobile manufacturer. Movement, he was solid, reflects the fact that the United States the largest market for the luxury brand – while also bypassing the negative impact of the skewed exchange rates, more and more difficult to continue producing vehicles in Japan who made it.

"It is the first country, to build suitable outside Japan, the United States is the ES, because this is for the Lexus brand" Toyoda said a reference to the fact that the luxury brand, sold almost exclusively in the United States for many years, it has however an aggressive global rollout in recent years started.

While Toyota was slow to embrace the idea of relocation of production from the domestic market, it has become increasingly aggressive in expanding its global activities. It operates 14 assembly plants in North America, 10 of which in the United States, which together sold seven out of every 10 vehicles in the region under the Toyota badge produce Lexus Scion, Jim Lentz, called found recently President of the North American region, the highest rank possession per Executive American.

Along with the extension to the Georgetown Toyota invested $2 billion to increase North American capacity. And that includes additional production for 23 overseas markets targeted. Exports rose by 45% in the year 2012, Lentz, noted at a press conference in New York, "and we export more vehicles this year."

There are 11 vehicle, which assembles Toyota in the US based assets and the first for the luxury brand Lexus. Toyota is the last of the Japanese, the "big three" to move, even though it has produced the Lexus RX crossover in Canada at least some luxury car production in the States.

But as rivals Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co., it has already undermining production in the Japanese home market because of concerns about the exchange rate - as potential questions of the production by March 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami, all but the manufacturer operations for much of the subsequent nine months shut down.

The choice of Georgetown, the plant of the surprise was when one considers it is Toyota the first - and the largest in the States, produced the critical Camry sedan. With the planned expansion, the plant will boost the production of 50,000 units per year and total investment to over 6 billion $ to increase. Employment, meanwhile is expected to rise to 7.400.

"I feel like the State just the Kentucky Derby, won", said Governor Steve Beshear on the webcast from the plant.

Earlier this week, Kentucky officials a hint of what was to come, when the Kentucky confirmed millions in tax incentives economic development authority, that it would offer Toyota, with $146.5 for the Georgetown property and adding a new model to expand. Toyota, will again be required to invest $531 million and add 750 jobs.

In the two years since the devastating tsunami and earthquake of Japan has the pace, with the manufacturer, production capacity of the country have hollowed out car, quickly increases. There is some question whether manufacturers such as Toyota of this strategy rethink could the exchange rate penalty reduced as the yen has dramatically lost value in recent months.

Despite this change Nissan CEO said, however, Carlos Ghosn at the end last month, that he does not want to risk that the appreciation of the yen could back up to the point the way in which Japanese-made cars may be no longer competitive. Apparently in the same vein, Toyota is thinking.

The Japanese giant has been traditionally the reluctant relocation of production is positioned as defenders of the Japanese economy. But it has have been concerned increasingly about domestic market production, as well as the decision the Lexus it suggests moving in Kentucky that more moves are possible in particular, most industry analysts expect that the popular Toyota Prius finally somewhere in North America, as well as produced.

Even before the new movement has invested Toyota about 18 billion $ in various US operations, including assembly plants, design capabilities, research and development centers and test tracks. It is said to have 30,000 direct U.S. employees and 365,000 Americans indirectly to employ all in all.

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Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda recall 3.4 million vehicles

Michael strong, the Detroit Bureau - 2 days

Four Japanese automakers - Honda, Toyota, Nissan and Mazda - fire are recalled 3.4 million vehicles for faulty airbag systems, because she could catch or inflate accidentally injured passengers.

The danger of a global supply chain shows leave issues such as automakers are increasingly turning to a small number of suppliers for common or similar parts this product recall.

The recall is the largest ever for airbags made by TAKATA Corporation, the world's second largest supplier of air bags and seat belts. Due to a design in the propellant for the inflator, it can incorrectly blow airbag for the front passenger seat. As a result, the risk of fire from or passengers is injured. The faulty airbags were produced between 2000 and 2002 in TAKATA factory in Mexico.

The recall includes some of the top-selling Japanese cars, including Toyota Camry corolla, and Nissan Maxima and Honda Civic. All vehicles manufactured in or after the year 2000. In addition to Honda, Toyota, Mazda and Nissan, the supplier on the basis of Tokyo said it delivers even air bags and seat belts, the Daimler AG and Ford Motor Co. Some non-Japanese automakers also with faulty airbags were delivered during the decline of the auto manufacturer to call the company.

INFORMATION TO REMEMBER

The callback is called October Toyota in more than 7 million vehicles in the past the biggest. There is only one in a growing list of embarrassing recalls, the Japanese automaker, long known as a benchmark for quality, have spent in recent years. Toyota recalled in fact more individual than any manufacturer worldwide in three of the last four years issued.

Toyota is recalling approximately 1.73 million vehicles sold from November 2000 to March 2004 including 580,000 vehicles sold in North America and 490,000 vehicles in Europe. Honda is around 1.14 million vehicles to call back. Nissan about 480,000 vehicles will recall worldwide, although it said that the number of vehicles under recall could. Mazda said that it was reminded of 45,500 worldwide vehicles.

The Toyota models covered by the recall include corolla, Camry, tundra and Yaris. Nissan models include the Maxima and cube.

Honda has announced that more than 470,000 sedans, minivans and crossover utility vehicles, will remember it due to defective systems. The problem is associated to such incidents in the past in other vehicles, which had to remind the manufacturers for similar problems. In fact, Honda reminds 750,000 other vehicles due to airbag defects this year.

Airbag problems are a serious embarrassment for Honda - made more difficult the fact that the manufacturer is already on record last as one of the highest recall sums by any manufacturer in the United States in the years acted.

The latest US-Honda recall includes about 426,000 subcompact civic sold models in model years 2001 to 2003 43,000 CR-V crossover in 2002 and 2003, offered and another 92,000 of Odyssey minivans in 2002 model year.

"It is possible that the passenger who can front Airbag inflators in affected vehicles with too much pressure to guide that casing can provide to break inflator and could cause that the violation," the manufacturer confirms in a statement.

It added that it "deliberately" a crash, in which the front airbag deployed to enforce, but there were no injuries or deaths related to the issue in the models of the most recent recall was affected.

In January ordered the Japanese manufacturer of the recall of 748.000 pilot crossover and Odyssey minivans not properly deploy due to missing rivets, the airbags could cause in an accident. (This figure covered the U.S. market with an another 29,000 vehicles recalled in Canada.)

Has experienced reminded a number of earlier for other airbag problems, which have now added up to millions of vehicles.

Dealer handles the repairs without charge to owners.

Copyright © 2009-2013, the Detroit Bureau

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Hyundai, KIA, referring to 1.9 million vehicles

Paul A. Eisenstein, the Detroit Bureau - 3 days

Korean Automakers Hyundai and Kia initiating one of its largest recalls – or more precisely said, today, 1.9 million vehicles announced three separate service actions sold in the U.S. market since end of 2006 include.

The majority of the involved vehicles were formerly reminds developed the same problem - electronic gremlins, a variety of systems, from affect stability control could brake lights, and even prevent the use of the stop button.

Now the small Japanese automaker Subaru is recalling 200,000 vehicles of its own due to brake line problems.

The major recalls of Hyundai and Kia present some serious headaches for the Korean manufacturer after repeated efforts to deal with electronic control questions. Much of the same technology under the skin of their cars work the two makers in the United States as separate companies but to share.

The biggest announcement, with 1.06 million Hyundai models follows an earlier 2009 recall and three separate service actions, the problems with taillight of assemblies. The 2007 20009 accent, 2007 to 2010 Elantra, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2011 Santa Fe, 2011 Sonata, 2007 to 2009 Tucson and 2008 to 2009 Veracruz are insured.

According to Hyundai, the "condition could potentially intermittent push-button start feature, intermittent way to remove the vehicle gear from the Park position, lighting by" ESC "(Electronic Stability Control) indicator in the instrument cluster, intermittent interference with operation of the cruise control function or intermittent operation of the stop lamps."

Total 623.000 KIA models are affected by the same problem and are 2007 Sedona 2007-2010-Rondo 2011 Optima, 2007-2011 Sorento, 2010 and 2011 soul and the 2007 to 2010 Sportage.

A third goals remember Hyundai specifically potential airbag problems linked to 190,000 Elantra sedans sold model years 2011 to 2013-compact. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration pressed the manufacturer to act after receiving complaints that even a support bracket in case of a crash can be moved, raises the side-impact airbags.

NHTSA was first notified of the problem if a passenger had serious injuries during a crash at her ear. Hyundai has found several vehicles, which apparently offered could experience the same type of problem, by installing a special auto-dimming mirror as an option in the US market.

Hyundai said that the problem can be easily fixed. "Industrial adhesive tape on the mounting bracket set curtain airbags prevent displacement mount coupled off during page."

Repairs for all new Hyundai and Kia are reminded owners free of charge made.

The three new recalls come only a few days after NHTSA announced that it would begin a formal investigation of reports of excessive corrosion, which may impact on the 400,000 older Hyundai Sonata models. The rust problem could lead to the failure of the rear suspension, the Agency noted.

Corrosion is made also responsible for the recall of 200,000 Subaru legacy and Outback models produced between December 2003 and April 2009 and sold in 20 cold weather States and the District of Columbia.

2005 To 2009 model years referred, could the legacy and Outback all-wheel drive vehicles break line occur cracks, the fluid leaks cause could be. That could in turn reduce brake functionality and cause a crash.

Subaru owners notify and repairs free of charge to undertake.

Copyright © 2009-2013, the Detroit Bureau

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Feds might remember a million GM cars Add.

TOM KRISHER - 2 days

Safety regulators in the United States study, whether more than 1 million General Motors of midsize cars a recall for brake problems added.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that it be verified complaints about the 2004-2011 Chevrolet Malibu and the 2007 to 2009 Saturn Aura. The Agency says that the brake lights may not come when the pedal is pressed, while at other times the lights, no reason can illuminate.

In 2009 GM mid-sized vehicles from the model year recalled about 8,000 Pontiac G6 2005 for the same problem. The Government announced in February that it examined whether added sold 550,000 G6s from 2005 to 2009.

Now, the Agency has examined 97 complaints from Malibu and aura owner about the same problems. The two cars share many of the same parts with the G6, but GM spokesman were unsure Tuesday whether all three cars have the same brake lights.

The Detroit company sold more than 1.5 million years ago and auras from 2004 to 2011, AutoInfoBank was loud, but it was unclear how many of them are involved in the investigation.

No additional recalled in addition the 8,000 cars to called issued for repairs in 2009, although NHTSA says that it opened the probe "should be to determine whether extended the scope of the callback, or an adaptation of the existing remedies is required."

NHTSA says, if the brake lights do not illuminate and drivers will not be warned behind the cars that could lead to a crash. A GM spokesman said on Tuesday that the company has no reports of crashes or injuries.

In the 2009 recall, GM tracked the problem to corrosion in a cable connection. Traders were to fix it, by you a lubricant on the connector to prevent corrosion. The company in October 2010 posted in detail how similar brake light problems in the optional equipment list and auras to resolve a service bulletin to dealers, said NHTSA.

Some owners that G6 problems complained said brake light also the cruise control may not exercise or unintentionally will solve.

Owner, the brake lamp, or cruise control problems suggest should take their cars to any Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac or GMC dealer. GM shut down Pontiac and Saturn in the year 2010 as part of its massive restructuring brands.

Trade shares of General Motors co. rose 16 cents to $28.47 Tuesday morning.

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Honda goes solar with $65 million investment

Paul A. Eisenstein, the Detroit Bureau - 2 days

The first automobile manufacturer to a hybrid-electric vehicle in the US market Honda offer is still delve deeper into renewable energy with a project, which means it could make solar power affordable for its dealers and customers.

Honda's new partnership with SolarCity to make energy from the Sun less power expensive than utility, according to the carmaker - a $65 million investment fund has established to secure the project.

"We believe that Honda and Acura customers go to very interested, solar will as soon as they realize that they can install solar home with little or no costs upfront can reduce their monthly energy bill, and can a positive contribution to the protection of the environment," said Steven Center, Vice President for the environment business development office by American Honda Motor Co.Inc.

2006 By Lyndon and Peter Rive brothers founded and headquartered in San Mateo, California, SolarCity offers various Sun-driven technologies, including commercial and solar power of arrays and solar for electric vehicles, the Honda it also says charging stations "imagination" for its future EV and plug-in hybrid customers.

The project will target customers and dealers in the area 14 State service SolarCity now runs - including a number of markets where cars of the most traction, such as California, Texas and the mid-Atlantic region win battery.

The partnership is Honda and Acura customers and dealers offer several financing options with little or no up-front costs, including an option that the manufacturer claims "less than the cost of their utility bills, insurance, repairs and tracking service be included."

The project allows owners of Honda vehicles, energy-efficiency upgrades, including weather and improved heating and cooling systems.

"Make that easier and cheaper strengthen it for its customers by using clean power, Honda, is the fact that solar is the new normal," said SolarCity CEO Lyndon Rive.

A number of car manufacturers have investigated the potential of solar energy. Several, such as Toyota, and Fisker offer vehicle on the roof panels that can be used to supplement battery power or operate a vehicle ventilation system on hot days.

General Motors, Audi and Volkswagen, now large solar plants have added to their plants. GM Detroit-Hamtramck plant, used, for example, solar energy free of charge until the batteries the Chevrolet Volt plug-in produces hybrids to help at the site. And VW, recently a solar farm on which in its factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The 33-acre system generates enough energy to power 1,200 homes - or around 12.5% assembly plant energy required.
Copyright © 2009-2012, the Detroit Bureau

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1 Million Toyotas recalled for windshield wiper, airbag problems

Paul A. Eisenstein, the Detroit Bureau - 2 days

Toyota says it is remembered more than 1 million vehicles, including some late model luxury cars, due to some security issues related to faulty airbags and faulty windshield wipers.

The announcement comes in the same week that the manufacturer certifies that it 2012 world's best-selling automaker regained the title as that. But Toyota had recalled more vehicles than other automakers, who work in the United States last year--the third time the dubious distinction of conquered it in four years.

The new recall covers about 752.000 Corolla and Corolla matrix cars that sold in 2003 and 2004. According to Toyota, a control module is vulnerable for short. When that happens, their airbags and front seat pre-tensioners may occur accidentally deployment.

The second recall involves an estimated 270,000 Lexus IS models, which sold between 2006 and early 2012. The manufacturer says, "the windshield wiper arm nut could be insufficient sealing. "When movement is restricted the windshield wipers by external loads, such as an accumulation of heavy snow on the windshield, which can either or both the wipers become ineffective."

The twin callbacks service actions that have threatened to tarnish Toyota's pound sterling reputation for quality, reliability and dependability, traditionally or QRD are seen at the latest in an ongoing series of large-scale security industry.

Just in last October 7.4 million were reminded, worldwide due to the potential risk vehicles of fire vehicle in connection with faulty power switch window. A third of these vehicles had been sold in the States. In November, Toyota recalls another 2.8 million vehicles due to problems with hybrid systems.

All in all recalls 5.3 million cars, trucks, and transitions in the U.S. market involved Toyota alone in 2012, significantly higher than the second place Honda, 3.9 million vehicles recalled. GM recalled 1.5 million vehicles, landing the Detroit makers third on the entire list in the past year.

But Toyota's recall problems really started in 2009, when it ordered the first in a growing number of measures in connection with problems of unintended acceleration. The first involved vehicles, which carpets the accelerator could absorb, pedal, a problem if you have highlighted a California Highway Patrol officer and several family members in a fiery accident killed.

Early in 2010, pedals to light came a second problem with sticky accelerator. The forced not only Toyota recall millions more vehicles but to just stop production at many of its U.S. Assembly lines.

During these two years alone, more than 8 million vehicles by unintended acceleration problems were recalled. The manufacturer was grilled by Congress and hammered through a series of record illegal to delay fines for safety-related recalls. But Toyota was last year again by another record by further delay related to so called carpet fine hit entrapment on its Lexus RX crossovers.

Despite its current problems, industry analysts have little evidence of any impact on Toyota image or sales the manufacturer handily outperformed the US car market overall increase in 13.5% in 2012 seen.

Global sales, meanwhile soared to 9.75 million last year significantly higher than the second place GM 9,29 million vehicles sold.

Toyota says that it will be notified soon, affected owners of his two recent recalls. Owner companies in the www.toyota.com/recall and the Toyota customer experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or www.lexus.com/recall and Lexus customer satisfaction (1 800-255-3987) attain also.

Copyright 2013 the Detroit Bureau

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Holy hot rods! TV's Batmobile can pick up $5 million.

Robert Frank

Maybe it was the dual bubble windshields, the heads of Adam West and Burt Ward perfect frame, as it's Gotham City raced to the scene of the crime. Or maybe it was the issued bat wings, Orange edges. Or maybe it was the ultimate jet exhaust, which like a dragon as the caped Crusaders flamed drove out of the bat cave.

Whatever reason, the original Batmobile after remains one of the most revered cars in America. And now the Batmobile - Yes, the same used in the 1960s Adam West TV show - is among the more than 1,400 vehicles auctioned the 42nd be expected annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale event weekend.

Price: up to $5 million.

Scottsdale is car to collect the car-a-Palooza. And auctioneers say the good economy this year, growing interest by investors of collectibles and rare offerings such as the Batmobile and a Mercedes once owned by Clark Gable, could push sales total to all-time highs.

The market for collectors not only back. It would be bigger than ever before.

Craig Jackson, said the CEO of Barrett-Jackson-the auto auction company, the event in 1971 in life called - the year's total sales of the company's all-time record of 108 million $ can set up in the year 2007.

"My goal is to beat this year," he said. It looks like we have a good chance."

A good sign: the credit lines for buyers have topped $700 million. Jackson said that any potential bidder ask a letter from a bank or lender, which guarantee that a certain amount of cash to purchase is available. He said, the total is $1 billion expected to be $700 million in credit lines-meaning buyers met to spend a war chest of up to $1 billion this weekend.

Scottsdale is above all a muscle car scene with many American hot rods and Hemis. But there are also a smattering of Italian exotics, Celebrity Cruises, and cars through Hollywood famous.

The Batmobile is, hands down, the star of the show. Of course, there are also other Batmobiles there. But all the others were copies of the original, that life in 1955 as Lincoln began Futura concept car, the screen in the film "It started with a Kiss" with Debbie Reynolds 1959 debuts. Legendary Customizer George Barris car then turned into the Batmobile for the TV series. The car was used in the original series as also the movie with Adam West.

Jackson said that all other Batmobiles made fiberglass copies of this original.

"This is the real deal," he said.

Barrett Jackson will auction off the car Saturday. Jackson said that the car probably for will sell $4 million or more, and could easily $5 million above. He said, "Veteran" is probably the most buyer-perhaps a museum or movie companies in connection with the Batman franchise.

"It's one of those wild cards, because we don't really know what it for sale could," he said.

Another headliner at Scottsdale include Clark Gable 1955 Mercedes Gullwing, which could sell for millions. A 1958 could Ferrari 250 GT LWB California spider by Gooding & co. auction is up to $7 million, brought during a 1960 Ferrari 250GT SWB Berlinetta auctioned by RM auctions in $8 could bring millions.

Another piece of Hollywood up for auction is the Dukes of Hazzard trick car that was used in the popular TV series of the 1980s. "General Lee"-1969 Dodge Charger - was more than $60,000 when picked up by the Bonham auctioned.

Also on the block by Bonhams: the car in the infamous Tollbooth scene in "The godfather" in the Sonny Corleone shot is used. He did not survive, but the car has. James Caan at the tollbooth in this car pulled up, but there are bullet holes. Another car was riddled with bullets. There is no estimate how much the 1941 could bring Coupe Lincoln Continental.

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Zipcar in all-cash deal to buy Avis for $500 million

Paul A. Eisenstein, the Detroit Bureau
The company car share has just a great vote of confidence by huge Avis Rent a car, get the Zipcar for $491,2 million buys.

The move is the biggest deal yet in the market in the nascent alternative to traditional car rental systems where users could search a set of wheels for travel of less than one hour. Founded in the year 2000, Zipcar is generally considered to be the leader in the field of automotive parts and now claims 760,000 members.

"By combining with Zipcar, we will significantly increase our growth potential, both in the United States and internationally and position our company to a wider range of consumer and commercial transport must be to serve better" Avis Chairman and CEO Ronald Nelson said in a statement accompanying the announcement of Wednesday morning.

The car sharing concept has begun, the rental, young and often wealthy buyers, especially in urban areas and college campuses attract to revolutionize. Last year, Ford Motor Co. has a partnership that focus placed hundreds of new Ford models on the campuses across the country, would convince an Alliance of manufacturers eventually hopes to buy the car, as soon as she graduated students.

The challenge for many new competitors in the field was to raise capital to expand, industry experts note. Zipcar has spread so far in 20 metropolitan markets in the United States, Canada and Europe.

"It is a fact of life in these places, that people want the convenience of a car but not the effort the possession of one," noted Dr. David Cole, Chairman of the Center for automotive research, or car, based in Ann Arbor, a "so, I think the car sharing concept is going to work."

The most important difference between a car-sharing service and a traditional rental is companies such as Avis Budget Group Inc. in the provision of community-based access to vehicles which can be rented by the day or week in the short term and not.

"We are targeting a generation that only knows how to buy music from the song, so a natural for them to pay for a car per hour is", said Scott Griffith, Zipcar, the Chairman and CEO, TheDetroitBureau.com in an earlier interview.

Several leaders, including Griffith Zipcar Chairman and Chief Operating Officer Mark Norman, are expected with the company, although they will move into new headquarters in Boston.

Zipcar went in 2011 and in November said it expected end year with its first annual profit of $4 million. It was in the third quarter with a jump of 15% in revenue, which climbed million to end at $78.

Observers were the announcement, particularly with regard to the consolidation of the industry as a whole for rent not entirely surprised. Rival Hertz a takeover of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group until last month blocked.

Avis said that it expects "Significant synergies" as part of the agreement. It could ease pressure on Zipcar on weekends and other occasions, when it fights continue a enough to satisfy a large fleet to the demand. It could be the car-sharing company that expand into other metropolitan markets.

Avis even provides a premium of 49% through December 31, 2012 closing price of $8.24 save between $50 million and $70 million through the acquisition - for which he will pay $12.25 Zipcar shares. This is still a significant reduction in the exercise price of $18 per share for Zipcar was during his April 2011 IPO.

See Avis, a number of other car-sharing services are, some are looking for still more radical approaches like RelayRides Zipcar will be confronted. This concept not only skip the traditional rent counter busy, but allows individual car owners, their cars, trucks and crossover onto the market for short term rentals.

Last summer, RelayRides has a partnership with General Motors OnStar service in a renters access a vehicle without using a connection can first establish the owner of the key.

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Toyota pays $17,35 million fine for recall delay

Paul A. Eisenstein, the Detroit Bureau
In a further blow damage to our image unsurpassable quality, reliability, and security has Toyota confirmed that it a record $17,35 million fine for the delay nor a recall related to unintended acceleration problems must pay.

The news comes, also if the Japanese giant heads towards the end of the year in a dubious race with Honda rivals to see who the most vehicles due to safety issues for all 2012 have called back.

The latest fine marks for the fourth time in 2010 to fork out Toyota for that, to delay the permissible maximum penalty for callbacks. Three years ago was fines, which is by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration $48.8 million - but the covered three separate recalls in the Toyota could fail on a known security broken, by law to act United States.

After five pages draft of agreement revealed by the Detroit News now not have Toyota delay numbers only $17,35 million for the recall of 154,000 Lexus RX frequency switch in June but it will hold monthly meetings related to security issues. It will have to make significant internal reforms.

This is a direct slap in the face, Toyota Motor Co. President Akio Toyoda - who tearfully Congress promised that he 2010 would take response to security issues steps to improve his company during a hearing on Capitol Hill. Among other things the manufacturer followed then the appointment specifically to security-related issues to monitor Executive.

But the dismissal of the Lexus RX 350 and RX 450 h crossover concerns that the new procedures had failed, the results you want to achieve.

Toyota's problems began in October 2009 when you order the first in a series of recall related to unintended acceleration - a situation where the vehicles, which either input accelerates without driver or could not to a halt, while driving be switched, had to. The crisis began after a California Highway Patrol officer and several family members were killed as they drove in a Lexus, the floor mat jammed the gas pedal and ran her vehicle off the road and caught fire.

Beginning of 2010 Toyota added a second recall related to unintended acceleration, this is a sticky accelerator pedal.

But the manufacturer's problems exacerbated a series of recalls related to other issues, can cause excessive corrosion of the Sienna minivan, which fall off the parts of the vehicle while driving of faulty brakes on the popular Toyota Prius to order.

Toyota recalls more vehicles than any other manufacturer in 2010 - although Honda the list a year later crowned. Both manufacturers recalled millions more vehicles this year.

In fact, Toyota announced the largest single global recall in its history of this past October with 7.5 million vehicles with driver side window switch, the potentially short out and can catch fire. A total 2.5 million of these products in the United States sold a small recall, which was announced earlier this year to the same problem.

A statement from Toyota tried to put a positive spin on the latest setback, Ray Tanguay, Chief quality officer for Toyota North America, declaring "we will further strengthen our data collection and assessment process to ensure that we are ready to quickly take to meet the needs of customers."

Only after the Executive decided Toyota settlement ", to avoid time-consuming disputes."

But it is clear that the manufacturer with efforts to step up its safety oversight be used. Among other things, Toyota have to keep now monthly meetings on so-called "carpet entrapment" topics for at least six months. US regulators reserved and extend these sessions for a further six months.

Despite its safety problems until today, there is little evidence that Toyota sales have been injured. Rebecca Lindland of IHS automotive contends that "true owner" continue to be the Japanese giant products to buy, although she still warns problems could make it difficult to win customers 'Conquest'.

Working in Toyota's dropped, has the manufacturer of the last quality and reliability surveys, such as the J.D. was power quality first visit consumer reports reliability topping study of the year. Officials with power and consumer reports caution, however, consider the they not take callback problems when compiling their data.

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Toyota gets world's 2.8 million vehicles

A month after the announcement, its largest single recall Toyota has revealed some new quality problems, the safety-related repairs to a further 2.8 million vehicles - including his high-profile Prius hybrid models make it force.

The news was another blow of the Japanese giant picture despite having the latest consumer reports automotive reliability investigation landed on the supply. He is also Toyota in a position where it can again compete Honda for the dubious distinction of having is reminded with Japanese rival most of the vehicles of all manufacturers in the United States this year.

The latest recall is wave the result of a water pump problem and a steering damaged. Problems with a wide range of Toyota products by using the components of the steering system can do this. The manufacturer often shares parts for numerous models to reduce costs - but the risks this approach the possibility of widespread create reminiscent, if there is a problem. Two problems on the same vehicle can be present in this case.

Shaft of the Steering defect to the callback by 1.51 million vehicles in Japan is involved in and sold an other vehicles in other parts of the world and among the most notable models affected Compact are the Corolla and Prius, the world's most popular hybrid. About 670,000 of these vehicles sold in the United States between 2000 and 2009 model years.

About 620,000 of these vehicles can be equipped with the faulty water pump. This list not only the Prius, but four hybrid models contains, Toyota is confirmed. Vehicles may be repaired both items were sold between 2001 and 2010 in Japan, and from 2003 to 2011 in the United States and other overseas markets.

Meanwhile, vehicles only on the defective water pump are a further 10,000 Toyota recalled.

The new recall comes as a significant setback for Toyota and for a variety of reasons.

Exactly one month ago, the manufacturer announced - what is the world's best-selling automaker - its largest recall on the way again. 7,43 Million vehicles were involved, more than one-third of it in the United States, also makes it the largest recall of the world over the last 16 years.

Just these two security involved with 3.2 million vehicles, Honda now as a manufacturer in the United States the smaller manufacturers of this unwanted distinction hunts the most recalled earned repair campaigns, Toyota last year but was Toyota were top of the list in 2010, mainly as a result of the millions of vehicles that scandal involved the company CEO Akio Toyoda in the so-called "unintended acceleration", bear witness in tears before the US Congress.

The grandson of the founder Toyota, promised Toyoda to intensify focus on quality, reliability and security of the company. And there are clear signs of improvement. It has achieved on a number of studies, including the annual survey of the reliability by consumer reports, which keeps the results of millions of readers of the influential magazine but also. Three brands of the manufacturer, Toyota, Scion and Lexus, crowned, in that order in the chart.

But CR officials pointed out that it is not remembered in its results, consider despite the potential impact on the quality or reliability.

What is potentially problematic about the latest recalls is the fact that it includes products which only sold the model year 2011, after President Toyoda its touted much to fix push began to Toyota quality problems.

Despite the potential tarnishing the image damage continue to collect Toyota safety, sale that ends with the maker, forecast that it will be near the milestone 10 million mark for the current fiscal year on March 31. The win led to a tripling in the last quarter.

But Toyota before other problems, notably a boycott in the booming Chinese market, that before recently Les of the manufacturer raised its forecast for the year slightly cut turnover.

(C) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012.

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Chrysler books $436 million profit in the second quarter

(Updated 14: 45 East) DETROIT--Chrysler Group LLC further earn turnaround from near death three years ago $436 million in the second quarter and confirmed that it is a full-year operating profit of at least 3 billion $ show.

Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne, warned employees in an e-Mail to Chrysler on Monday against overconfidence in the light of the recent success of the company after "Life through a near-death experience" in 2009.

"History teaches, that it simply in good times to develop bad habits," Marchionne enrolled in the e-Mail from that copy was acquired by Reuters. "This has become no time around corners, no time to our version of undisciplined, no time to forget how difficult it was, our way to claw back to viability."

A year ago, in connection with Chrysler, $370 million in the second quarter, including losses relating to $551 million payments of the Government lost credits of its 2009 bankruptcy and rescue.

In the second quarter, revenues rose by 23 percent to $16,7950 billion.

"Our results reflect to deliver the best quality and value for our brands, a tireless pursuit of the people of the Chrysler Group," said Marchionne, the CEO of Fiat, in a press statement.

Chrysler is majority owned by Italian Fiat SpA.

Fiat, the result of reports in the second quarter on Tuesday. In the past several quarters, its have through weak earnings have been increased the strength of Chrysler. Marchionne will develop during a conference call Tuesday with reporters and investors on the result of Chrysler.

Fiat result have through the economic crisis in Europe under pressure has been used. It is based also on southern European markets where sales are the hardest hit.

US sales by 24% worldwide vehicle sales rose 20 percent to 582.000 in the second quarter, led by a rise in. Sales outside the core market in North America rose to 70,000 vehicles 58 percent in the quarter.

Earlier this month, Fiat to exercise its call option, another 3.3 percentage points of Chrysler, announced increase its stake to 61.8 percent done to buy. Fiat neither Chrysler have even pointed out that the deal were sealed.

The remaining shares in Chrysler are a retiree healthcare trust of the United Auto Workers Union manages.

Earlier this month, said Marchionne of operating profit for year as a whole, "the goal of $3 billion in your area." "We could overshoot."

Sales have steadily for Chrysler since the first quarter of 2010, rose when it started breaking out their business results by Fiat. At the time, Chrysler was $9,6900 billion revenue.

Until June Chrysler has reported 27 consecutive months growth in the United States year after year. This strip followed approximately 24 consecutive months of U.S. sales.

Marchionne and his management team will be with the overhaul of Chrysler vehicle lineup that outdated and panned in quality 2009 took over surveys and reviews as Fiat management control has been credited.

Chrysler is now up sales for its new small Dodge Dart sedan ramps, which in the compact class segment of the US car market-a crowded segment competes, the the Honda Motor Co civic, Toyota Motor Corp corolla, the Ford Motor Co. focus and General Motors co. Chevrolet Cruze contains.

The DART is the first vehicle from Fiat and Chrysler will be developed together.

Fiat management control and a 20 percent stake in Chrysler in the context of the insolvency plans restructuring that the Auburn Hills, Michigan, automakers in 2009, the extinction of saved.

Chrysler bar at the end of the second quarter rose to $12,0750 billion from $10,1750 billion a year ago and $11,30 billion at the end of the first quarter. Total available liquidity at the end of the second quarter was $13,40 billion.

Free cash flow was $866 million at the end of the second quarter, down from $1.70 billion at the end of the first quarter, and up from $174 million a year ago.

Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters.

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Volvo hit with $1.5 million fine for recall delay

By Paul A. Eisenstein, The Detroit Bureau
Volvo’s shiny halo as an automotive safety advocates has been tarnished a bit by federal regulators who allege the Swedish maker illegally delayed action on seven separate recalls.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is fining Volvo $1.5 million for the delays which involved a total of 32,000 vehicles in 2010 and 2012. Some of the recalls were relatively minor, such as one involving incorrect tire pressure labels, but others were more significant, including problems with vehicle stalling and defective airbags.

Though it officially denies any wrongdoing, Volvo has agreed to pay the fines and stated that it has “taken steps to improve the review process and analysis of potential quality and safety issues with our vehicles.”

The law requires a manufacturer to act in a “timely” manner, described as no more than five business days, once it discovers a safety problem that would trigger a recall.

NHTSA can levy fines of up to $17.35 million in the event of an improper delay and it struck Toyota with a series of fines for the questionable handling of several safety-related issues in 2009 and 2010 – including the months-long delay in ordering a recall for potentially sticker accelerator pedals. That problem eventually led the Japanese giant to call back millions of vehicles and to temporarily close a number of its assembly lines while it came up with a fix for the problem.

BMW, meanwhile, was slapped with a $3 million fine, earlier this year, due to delays in 16 separate recalls – the most serious involving BMW 5 and 6-Series cars from 2004-2010 and 7-Series models from 2002-2008.

NHTSA has been cracking down on manufacturers in the wake of the Toyota safety scandal. The federal safety agency was itself embarrassed when a Toyota document leaked out suggesting the maker had talked compliant NHTSA regulators out of ordering a recall that would have cost the company several $100 million.

A new U.S. transportation bill will double the potential fines manufacturers face for delaying recall actions.

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Toyota Fire probe expanded to 1.4 million car

The Detroit Bureau

NHTSA has almost the Toyota doubled the number of vehicles, such as this 2007 Camry, now a possible fire danger involved investigation.

By Paul A. Eisenstein, the Detroit Bureau
Investigators have Federal safety and large an investigation into a possible risk of fire which includes extended now approximately 1.4 million Toyota cars and sport utility vehicles.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking the automakers in reports, which switches the window where can drivers overheat side doors of a number of various Toyota models and catch fire. The problem was connected so far 161 fires and nine injuries.

The announcement of the expanded probe is also progressing the NHTSA with the probe almost 342.000 Chevrolet TrailBlazer on the basis of the reports of the door fires moves. And it comes days after the probe jeep was extended models to cover 5 million SUVs.

The Toyota probe was launched first in February and among 800,000 2007 Camry sedans and SUV RAV4. At the time, TheDetroitBureau.com reported that due to the Toyota practice of the widespread use of common components, was possible, that the probe would be expanded with other models.

That, the case with the NHTSA a alignment is now in fact more 800,000 vehicles, including some Yaris compact cars from model years 2007 to 2009, as well as the entire 2008 Highlander Hybrid SUV running. The NHTSA has also the probe to cover the Camry sedans produced in model years 2008 and 2009 and extended.

There were some sources report that the switches on other Toyota products, which means that the NHTSA could further extend the investigation could be used.

The probe has still not led to a recall and it is unclear whether it will follow. If so, that would be a possible setback for the Japanese automaker. Toyota fought with a number of important security issues in 2010 and 2011, although two independent areas finally deleted, the manufacturer of the electronic errors that could cause the so-called unintended acceleration problem.

Toyota, however not the only manufacturer for fire problems examined. Last week, the NHTSA announced that a probe into potential problems with rear-mounted gas tank has been expanded to cover more than 5 million Jeep vehicles.

And an investigation is now underway to determine to destroy the cause of a fire that consumed a garage in Texas, several luxury vehicles. Local investigators blame first the incident on one of these vehicles, a Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid, although the manufacturer, that preliminary conclusion denounced and has concerns that was the cause of the fire of suspicious origin.

In the meantime the NHTSA has shifted fires with the Chevy TrailBlazer now probe into reports of the door to the next level. A reported 341.786 vehicles are involved with the NHTSA indicates that it has received 83 complaints, including 28 reports of fires.

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