L.A. Times - Auto Industry News

Runaway Toyota cases ignored

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Safety investigators dismissed numerous reports of sudden acceleration, then said data were lacking.

More than 1,000 Toyota and Lexus owners have reported since 2001 that their vehicles suddenly accelerated on their own, in many cases slamming into trees, parked cars and brick walls, among other obstacles, a Times review of federal records has found.

Toyota is sued over concerns of sudden acceleration

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

A lawsuit filed Thursday by two Los Angeles County residents claims that the majority of Toyota and Lexus vehicles made since 2001 contain defective components that can cause unintended acceleration.

Two Los Angeles County residents have sued Toyota Motor Corp., alleging that the majority of Toyota and Lexus vehicles made since 2001 contain defective components that can cause unintended acceleration.

Regulators slam Toyota over 'no defect' claim

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

U.S. auto safety agency rebukes an assertion that it found nothing wrong in vehicles involved in a massive recall over incidents of unintended acceleration.

Federal safety regulators have sharply rebuked Toyota Motor Corp. for issuing "inaccurate and misleading" statements asserting that no defect exists in the 3.8 million vehicles it recalled after a Lexus sedan accelerated out of control in San Diego County, killing four people.

U.S. car sales are out of rut

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

After two years of losses, they are unchanged in October from a year earlier. Sales rebounded from a sharp drop in September after being bumped up 1% by 'cash for clunkers' in August.

After two years of sputtering, U.S. auto sales are finally gaining some traction.

GM decides to keep Opel unit

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The automaker says it will restructure the European firm instead of selling 55% of it to auto parts maker Magna International and Russian lender Sberbank.

General Motors Co. said Tuesday it would keep its European Opel unit and restructure it instead of selling a 55% stake to Canadian auto parts maker Magna International and its partner, Russian lender Sberbank.

Ford reports nearly $1-billion profit in third quarter

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 08:18:00 -0800

Ford, the only Big 3 automaker that avoided bankruptcy, shows positive cash flow while improving its market share. Investors respond favorably.

Continuing its comeback effort, Ford Motor Co. reported a third-quarter profit of almost $1 billion as it cut costs and improved market share, making money in the crucial North American automotive market for the first time since the first quarter of 2005.

GPS system puts Droid phone on the map

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

With Google in its corner, Verizon capitalizes on the search giant's navigation tools.

When it comes to GPS car navigation, the new Droid phone from Verizon Wireless could change everything.

Electric vehicles are charging up the automotive industry

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

A dozen all-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles are expected to hit the market in the next three years. They promise to combine blinding fuel efficiency, radical new technology and futuristic styling.

Next time you're filling up the cavernous fuel tank of the gas-gulping family jalopy, imagine getting 230 miles per gallon.

Ford moves up in Consumer Reports reliability rankings

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The four-cylinder Ford Fusion and its cousin, the Mercury Milan, rank higher in predicted reliability than any other family sedan but the Toyota Prius. Asian nameplates still are the overall winners.

Asian automakers once again dominate the upper ranks of Consumer Reports' annual vehicle-reliability survey, although Ford Motor Co. is making strides in improving the dependability of its cars and light trucks.

Safety probe of certain Lexus ES models is closed

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Reports of sudden acceleration are unlikely to stem from a vehicle defect, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says. Toyota has blamed out-of-place floor mats for most such incidents.

Federal safety regulators have closed an inquiry into sudden-acceleration incidents involving certain Lexus ES models after concluding that a vehicle defect was unlikely.