Today is Friday, June 2, 2023 and here it is Morning shift, your daily compilation of the top automotive headlines from around the world, in one place. Here are the important stories you need to know.
First gear: NHTSA is not so fast
With auto recalls like often and irritably As these days, it is imperative that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conduct its investigations as efficiently as possible. That’s exactly what Are not occurred, as assessed by NHTSA Eight-year investigation into ARC Automotive’s potentially hazardous airbag inflator which has yet to produce any meaningful action. The US Department of Transportation’s office of inspector general has suffered enough, calling its colleagues out this week in an audit seen by The Wall Street Journal:
The audit, covered in a May 31 report by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s office of inspector general, recommended that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration implement a response plan. meet its goals to complete automotive fault investigations and ensure documents related to those investigations are uploaded to its public website for transparency and accountability.
The report said the lack of timely investigations could limit NHTSA’s ability to identify and respond to rapidly evolving or severe auto safety risks. “Furthermore, delays in completing safety fault investigations can lead to unidentified motor vehicle failures and safety risks to the traveling public,” it added.
Specifically, the report targets NHTSA’s failure to hold itself accountable to its own deadlines and its poor data retention protocols, including its reliance on an “aging, decentralized database.” . Sophie Shulman, deputy administrator of NHTSA, has stated in defense of the regulator that just because an investigation takes longer than planned does not mean that action will not be taken before it is deemed deemed to be. completed. But eight years is too long, right? Continue:
NHTSA says it has implemented most of the watchdog’s recommendations, and that changes it started making in 2016 have helped it address safety risks more quickly than in the past. The agency added that it is continuing to work to identify safety issues more quickly and engage manufacturers earlier in a more timely recall process.
The inspector general’s office’s findings follow a report last month by the Journal, which found that the average length of time for NHTSA’s open investigations is now the highest in the agency’s 52-year history. Multiple safety polls launched by the NHTSA have been open for three and four years, the Journal found in an analysis of publicly available data.
The magazine said one of the longest government investigations was an eight-year investigation by NHTSA into an airbag inflator made by auto parts supplier ARC Automotive.
Currently, NHTSA has assigned ARC Automotive to answer a series of questions in a special order about the safety of its inflatables. If the ARC fails to respond by June 14, it risks being subject to “a maximum fine of approximately $131.6 million and potentially criminal penalties.”
2nd device: Hyundai, Kia fix is broken
The software update that Hyundai and Kia have released for key-start cars to combat increased theft of these brands’ vehicles doesn’t seem to work well with the remote start feature. , according to auto news:
According to a service bulletin sent from Kia America to dealers in February, the company has identified a compatibility issue involving vehicles equipped with the remote starter accessory.
Another bulletin, released last week, said the problem was still not fixed.
A Kia spokesperson confirmed that the problem persists, but the company is expected to release a new software update this month that is compatible with a small group of vehicles equipped with remote start. . The spokesperson said the automaker remains “confident” that the upgrade works as designed for eligible models.
The same software update is also available for older Hyundai models that are not equipped with anti-theft devices.
Hyundai’s most recent service bulletin sent to dealers in April also recommends that vehicles with aftermarket or additional alarm systems or remote start systems may not function properly if install software patch.
A Hyundai spokesperson told Automotive News that a small number of Hyundai vehicles equipped with the remote start system may not function properly when used in conjunction with anti-theft software, and engineers are working to fix it. Resolve conflicts in communication with affected dealers and customers.
The patch works by turning off the ignition while the vehicle is locked, so it’s no surprise that it’s not compatible with remote starter accessories, especially aftermarket ones. This is a real difficulty that Hyundai and Kia have gotten themselves into, isn’t it?
3rd Gear: Infiniti has a new boss
That will be former Nissan Mexico chief Jose Roman, who will now oversee the luxury brand worldwide and could try to get it back on some radars. From car news, again:
Infiniti’s newest leadership kicks off July 1 and will be based at the company’s global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, just south of Tokyo. Roman, 56, will also serve as senior vice president at the parent company and report to Asako Hoshino, global sales director and executive vice president of Nissan.
“Jose’s people-centric leadership style, combined with a wealth of experience gained from a variety of markets, will be invaluable assets for Infiniti moving into the next bright chapter,” said Hoshino. in the statement. She credits Roman for cementing Nissan’s market leadership position in Mexico, where, under his leadership, the brand achieved the 15th consecutive year at the top of the sales charts. of the country.
During his tenure, Roman introduced Nissan’s e-Power hybrid powertrain to the region.
Infiniti only sold 46,619 cars last year, so Roman still has a lot of work to do. He could use some new product to help him do that.
Gear 4: Objecting to Toyota’s ex-boss
The California and New York public pension systems, which hold millions of shares in Toyota-affiliated companies, voted against former Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda’s re-election as board chairman. management of this automaker. Reuters report:
The California Public Retirement System (CalPERS) and the New York City Comptroller’s Office also voted on a resolution urging Toyota to improve disclosure of climate change lobbying information, according to the report. announcements of funds.
The details of the votes come after two leading proxy consulting firms last week raised governance issues at the automaker. One of them, Glass Lewis, recommended that shareholders vote against Toyoda’s re-election, citing that he was responsible for the lack of a sufficiently independent board of directors.
The disclosure of public pension systems with a record of performance underscored the pressure Toyota faced at its June 14 annual meeting over board oversight and selection. promote electric vehicle (EV) alternatives, including hybrids like the Prius.
On Friday, Toyota said it actively engages in dialogue with shareholders and investors, and considers the optimal board structure while receiving comments and advice.
This happened after consulting firm Glass Lewis members are recommended to vote against Toyoda’s appointment, which states that one-third of the company’s board members must be independent. That, coupled with Toyota’s lobbying and reluctance towards electric vehicles, is drawing the company’s growing criticism.
5th gear: Renault owners take collective action on engines
About 400,000 Renault vehicles in France produced between 2012 and 2016 using 1.2-litre engines are said to have serious oil consumption problems and a group of owners have suffered enough. They are preparing to file a “criminal” complaint about the company’s alleged negligence and failure to issue a recall order next week, courtesy Reuters:
“We will file a complaint on Monday on behalf of at least a few dozen people,” Christophe Leguevaques told Reuters, adding that many Renault car owners – as well as owners of the Dacia brand and for Nissan partners – may be involved in the move.
The lawyer said the complaint, first reported by Le Parisien newspaper, will be filed in Nanterre criminal court, with claims ranging from “serious fraud, questionable business practices” to “fraud” island” and “endanger the lives of others,” the lawyer said.
The decision to file the complaint follows unsuccessful discussions between Renault and the plaintiffs about the faulty engine, he added.
Prosecutors will decide whether to open a formal investigation.
A Renault spokesperson said the company has provided technical and financial assistance to affected customers.
This reminds me of ourselves Lawrence Hodge discusses a similar problem with many modern Hyundai and Kia engines last year – one of which he owns – which also led to a class action lawsuit. I wonder if Renault, like Hyundai, wonder why these people don’t just go out and buy a new car?
Reverse: Bruce McLaren
On this day in 1970 — 53 years ago — we lost Bruce McLaren at the age of 32. From History.com:
Neutral: Note
You may have noticed some small changes to The Morning Shift in recent days, and next week we’ll try to do things a little differently by breaking down some of the stories related to this industry into articles. posted separately. This is a warning, because I know nothing that makes people hate more than opening an app or a website or whatever and stuff getting moved around. Have a great weekend, and see you next week!
