Mercedes-Benz Takes The Luxury Car Of The Year beating BMW and Volvo for the #1 spot.

• AND NOW THERE IS ONE….
• THIRD TIME WORLD LUXURY CAR WIN FOR MERCEDES-BENZ
• Mercedes-Benz E-Class - 2017 World Luxury Car

At a press conference hosted by the New York International Auto Show, Bridgestone Corporation, and Autoneum, the MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS was declared the 2017 World Luxury Car.

This is the 3^rd World Luxury Car win for Mercedes-Benz having captured today’s title, plus two back-to-back titles in 2015 (Mercedes-Benz S-Coupe) and 2014 (Mercedes-Benz S-Class).

Mercedes-Benz made history in 2015 with a triple win in three out of five categories: World Car of the Year (C-Class), World Luxury Car (S-Coupe) and the World Performance Car (AMG GT).

The company has also won two World Green Car awards: 2012 (S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY) and 2007 (Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec) in 2007.

This year’s winner was chosen from an initial entry list of nine prestigious cars from all over the world, then a short list of three finalists as announced in Geneva last month: the BMW 5 Series, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and the Volvo S90 / V90.

Vehicles in all award categories are selected and voted on by an international jury panel comprised of 75 top-level automotive journalists from 23 countries around the world. 

Each juror was appointed by the World Car Steering Committee on the basis of his or her expertise, experience, credibility, and influence. Each juror typically drives and evaluates new vehicles on a regular basis as part of their professional work. 

Through their respective outlets they collectively reach an audience of many millions world-wide. The international accounting firm KPMG tabulates the jurors’ ballots.

Previous World Luxury Car winners were the BMW 7 Series (2016), the Mercedes-Benz S Coupé (2015) and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (2014). 

The award was first created in 2014 to acknowledge higher-priced premium models selling in more limited numbers worldwide.

The Road to World Car began in Paris on September 29, was followed by test-drives in Los Angeles in November, continued in Geneva with the Top Three in the World announcement, and finally ended today with the declaration of the winners in six categories at the New York International Auto Show.

2017 marks the 11th anniversary of the partnership between World Car and the New York show, and the fourth consecutive year that the World Car Awards have retained their ranking as the number one automotive awards program in the world in terms of media reach.

The Global Trends Report, co-presented annually by Prime Research and Autoneum, was also released today.The report is the culmination of research and insights across the past six months. 

Autoneum CEO Martin Hirzel said, “The auto industry is in the midst of an upheaval that goes far beyond anything it has experienced in the past 100 years. 

Emerging industry trends such as autonomous driving, electric mobility and connected cars are changing not only vehicles and their technologies but also their concepts and forms. 

As the market leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, Autoneum today already offers a large variety of multifunctional and lightweight technologies and components to meet the requirements of modern mobility. 

With our recently established “Competence Center for New Mobility” in Sunnyvale, California, Autoneum is taking a committed and active role in driving vehicle advancement by developing innovative technologies and components for all forms of mobility.”

World Car of the Year is more than just an awards program. The World Car community brings together a large cross section of experts and professionals from every segment of the automotive industry. 

World Car connects the global industry around the very best of today and inspires, with insights, the ideas and trends of tomorrow. 

Thus defining The Road Ahead platform shared with our presenting partners Bridgestone Corporation, Prime Research, Autoneum and, most recently, Brembo.

“As the world’s largest tire and rubber company, we are proud to partner with the World Car program for the 9th consecutive year,” said Mike Martini, president, original equipment tire sales, U.S. and Canada, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. 

“This is an important forum for leaders in the automotive industry to celebrate achievements in innovation, performance and sustainability. 

As new mobility preferences emerge, we must continue to collaborate across our industry to deliver cutting-edge technology and world-class products that meet the needs of a changing global customer base.”

In a rapidly changing automotive world, Brembo is also focused firmly on the future and the vehicles it will bring to market. 

Brembo is committing significant resources to perfecting ever more sophisticated virtual simulation methodologies that includes the study of forms, materials, technologies and surface treatments able to meet the needs of the new-generation vehicles, with a particular focus on environmental impact aspects, which drives all of Brembo’s development activities.

USA RECALL #7 - BMW recalls a number of Sports Saloons and Coupe's for possible poorly welded driveshafts.

RECALL Subject : Inadequately Welded Driveshaft may Fracture

Report Receipt Date: JUL 19, 2016 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V540000 

Component(s): POWER TRAIN 

Potential Number of Units Affected: 956  

Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC

SUMMARY:

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 BMW M5 sedans manufactured September 4, 2014, through December 4, 2014, 2015 M6 coupes manufactured September 3, 2014, through December 3, 2014, 2015 M6 convertibles manufactured September 8, 2014, through December 4, 2014, and 2015 M6 Gran Coupe vehicles manufactured September3, 2014, through December 4, 2014. The affected vehicles have a driveshaft that may have been inadequately welded during manufacturing.

CONSEQUENCE:

Due to the improper weld, the driveshaft may fracture and fail, causing loss of drive to the rear wheels and a loss of propulsion. Additionally, if the car is turned off and exited without the parking brake applied, the car may roll. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driveshaft, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on September 6, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

USA RECALL - HONDA - The Japanese giant voluntarily recall over 143,000-2014-2015 Civic and Fit models.

Honda will voluntarily recall approximately 143,000 model-year 2014-2015 Civic and 2015 Fit vehicles in the United States to update the software that manages the continuously variable transmission (CVT), free of charge. 

Affected vehicles have CVT control software that is written to use high hydraulic pressure during certain CVT operation modes, which as a result may subject the drive pulley shaft to high stress. In addition, during manufacturing of the drive pulley shaft, some parts may have been produced at the low end of the hardness specification. 

If shafts with lower hardness are repeatedly subjected to the specific high hydraulic pressure modes, it may result in the shaft breaking during operation. If the drive pulley shaft breaks, the vehicle may lose acceleration or the front wheels may lock up while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. No crashes or injuries have been reported related to this issue, which was discovered through the warranty claim process in the United States.

Honda is announcing this recall to encourage each owner of an affected vehicle to take it to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Honda. Mailed notification to customers will begin in mid-October, 2015. 

Additionally, owners of these vehicles can determine if their vehicles require repair now by going to www.recalls.honda.com or by calling (888) 234-2138.

Škoda announces it has sold 1.5 million cars in China since it started sales in the country

ŠKODA has achieved another milestone in China: since entering the market in 2007, the Czech car manufacturer has delivered 1.5 million vehicles to customers in the Chinese market. Over the coming years, ŠKODA plans to increase sales to over half a million cars per year in their strongest market worldwide. The new ŠKODA Superb heralds the dawn of a new era for the brand in China.

​Delivering 1.5 million vehicles since 2007 is evidence of ŠKODA’s successful development in China. The manufacturer seeks to grow further over the coming years by introducing new models. The recently launched ŠKODA Fabia and eagerly awaited ŠKODA Superb are set to be key players in this.  The company's aim is to increase the public's awareness of the brand in China, and inspire customers with highly dynamic, modern and emotionally appealing designs.

ŠKODA models have been available on the Chinese market since 2007. Since then, the brand has increased annual sales to 281,400 deliveries most recently in 2014. This represents almost one quarter of ŠKODA’s total sales last year. In the first half of 2015, ŠKODA delivered 138,300 vehicles in the Chinese market – an increase of 5.8% over the same period last year. China has been ŠKODA’s largest individual market since 2010. The manufacturer is building on their close partnership with the Volkswagen Group China and the local partner Shanghai Volkswagen (SVW).

As part of the company’s international growth strategy, the brand has been steadily broadening their range of models available in China over recent years. In 2014, ŠKODA’s product range in China increased to six locally produced model series. ŠKODA’s model range in China includes the Fabia, Rapid, Rapid Spaceback, Octavia, Yeti and Superb. 

2015 marks a highlight in ŠKODA’s current model campaign. The new generation Fabia and Superb herald the dawn of a new era for ŠKODA in China, bringing a new phase of growth. The latest generation of the ŠKODA Fabia has been available since April. This was the first series-produced model from ŠKODA to demonstrate the development of the brand’s new, expressive and modern design language. The new ŠKODA Superb will be taking a further step into the future with its release on the Chinese market in autumn. 

ŠKODA’s new flagship is produced for the Chinese market at the SVW plant in Ningbo, southern China. The other SVW locations that also produce ŠKODA models for the Chinese market are Anting and Yizheng. 

USA - FCA recalls more cars for an update on the software for the air bag system.

FCA US LLC is expanding by an estimated 62,148 vehicles 

its recall of U.S.-market SUVs** to upgrade air-bag software.

The action follows a routine review of the originally reported vehicle population by FCA US engineers. There have been no additional incidents and FCA US is unaware of any related injuries or accidents.

The campaign will upgrade software that governs side-curtain and seat-mounted side air bags following a small number of inadvertent deployments – most of which occurred in harsh, off-road environments. They were prompted by maneuvers that dramatically changed the vehicles’ angle of operation, relative to the ground, and the air-bag systems – sensing potential rollover conditions – automatically activated.

The software upgrade will recalibrate the threshold for deployment and the vehicles will remain compliant with all applicable safety regulations.

Affected are certain 2014 and 2015 Jeep Cherokees. The revised estimate for the U.S. totals 230,240. Revised estimates for other markets are as follows: 28,110 in Canada; 6,367 in Mexico and 52,057 outside the NAFTA region. The revised global total is 316,774 – a difference of 68,593.

USA RECALL #11 - KIA - The is possibility that the accelerator pedal may fracture.

RECALL Subject : Accelerator Pedal may Fracture

Report Receipt Date: MAR 02, 2015 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V123000 

Component(s): VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 

Potential Number of Units Affected: 208,858 

Manufacturer: Kia Motors America

SUMMARY:

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Soul and Soul electric vehicles manufactured July 21, 2013, to January 8, 2015. A section of the accelerator pedal may bend and fracture.

CONSEQUENCE:

If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will add a supporting rubber underneath the pedal stopper, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC116.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

USA RECALL #10 - HONDA - Connecting Rod Bolts may be Improperly Torqued

RECALL Subject : Connecting Rod Bolts may be Improperly Torqued

Report Receipt Date: MAR 02, 2015 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V121000 

Component(s): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 

Potential Number of Units Affected: 137 

Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

SUMMARY:

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Accord L4 vehicles manufactured July 29, 2014, to July 31, 2014, 2015 Accord L4 vehicles manufactured August 14, 2014, to January 30, 2015, and 2015 CR-V vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to February 6, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with improperly torqued connecting rod bolts, which can cause the engine to lose power or leak oil.

CONSEQUENCE:

Loss of engine power may result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine leaks oil in the proximity of hot engine or exhaust components, there is an increased risk of a fire.

REMEDY:

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine short block, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JP2 (for Accord models) and JP3 (for CR-V models).

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

USA RECALL #7 - CHRYSLER - Possible Damaged Fuel Rail Hose Connection

RECALL Subject : Damaged Fuel Rail Hose Connection

Report Receipt Date: FEB 27, 2015 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V114000 

Component(s): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING , FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 

Potential Number of Units Affected: 1,673 

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

SUMMARY:

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT and Dodge Charger SRT vehicles manufactured September 18, 2014, to February 5, 2015, and equipped with a 6.2L supercharged engine. O-ring seal and fuel rail crossover hose damage may result in the fuel rail hose connection leaking fuel.

CONSEQUENCE:

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components increases the risk of a vehicle fire.

REMEDY:

Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will replace the engine fuel rail injector crossover hose, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R07.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.