USA RECALL - Ford issues two separate recalls on the Focus, C-Max and the F-150

Ford Motor Company is issuing one safety recall and one safety compliance recall in North America. Details are as follows:

Ford issues safety recall for certain 2016 Ford Focus and C-MAX vehicles to inspect and repair left-hand body apron joints located on the floor pan

Ford is issuing a safety recall for 18 2016 Ford Focus and C-MAX vehicles to inspect and repair left-hand body apron joints located on the floor pan. In the affected vehicles, improper left-hand body apron joints may have reduced front-end structural integrity, potentially increasing the risk of injury in a frontal crash.

Ford is not aware of any fires, accidents or injuries associated with this issue.

Affected vehicles include certain 2016 Ford Focus vehicles built at Michigan Assembly Plant, Oct. 26, 2016 to Oct. 27, 2016 and 2016 Ford C-MAX vehicles built at Michigan Assembly Plant, Oct. 26, 2016.

There are approximately 17 vehicles located in the United States and one in Canada. The Ford reference number for this recall is 17S03.

Dealers will inspect and repair left-hand body apron joints as required at no cost to the customer.

Ford issues safety compliance recall for certain 2017 Ford F-150 vehicles to reprogram instrument cluster display

Ford is issuing a safety compliance recall for approximately 8,000 2017 Ford F-150 vehicles to reprogram instrument cluster displays that may experience a loss of functionality immediately after startup in cold ambient temperatures.

In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift position indicator located in the instrument panel cluster may not illuminate and display the selected transmission gear position. 

This may increase the risk of injury or crash from unintended vehicle movement. In addition, an inoperative instrument panel cluster display may prevent activation of certain warning chimes, messages and warning lights.

Ford is not aware of any fires, accidents or injuries associated with this issue.

Affected vehicles include certain 2017 Ford F-150 vehicles built at Dearborn Assembly Plant and Kansas City Assembly Plant, Oct. 4, 2016 to Nov. 23, 2016.

There are approximately 7,974 vehicles located in North America, including 6,792 in the United States and federalized territories, 1,057 in Canada and 125 in Mexico. The Ford reference number for this recall is 17C01.

Dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster display at no cost to the customer.

Volkswagen and British Gas continue it's partnership with a further 1000 Caddy Vans added to the fleet.

• British Gas turns again to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to renew its fleet
• 1,000 new Caddy 4 models to be supplied this year
• New three year contract will see over 8,000 Caddy Maxi vans supplied
• Whole life costs and aftercare package key to securing deal

The nation’s leading energy supplier, British Gas, has once again turned to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to renew its fleet, as part of the company’s planned vehicle replacement programme. The new three year contract will see the energy company become one of the first fleets in the UK to take delivery of Volkswagen’s new Caddy 4 model.

Over 8,000 Caddy Maxi vans will take to the roads in the iconic British Gas livery, comprising this year over 1,000 new Caddy 4 models. Compact yet remarkably capable, the Caddy Maxi’s fantastic drivability and ample load carrying capacity ensured it remained the number one choice for British Gas.

British Gas helps to keep the nation’s homes stay warm, working and safe, and the service provider wanted a manufacturer that could match its reliability. With city-friendly dimensions and a car-like drive, the most compact vehicle in the Volkswagen range was the ideal choice for British Gas engineers. 

The common-rail diesel engine of the Caddy Maxi will also help reduce the carbon footprint of the business due to its low CO₂emissions.

The new three year deal was awarded to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles thanks to the quality of vehicles and aftersales support already received by British Gas, which currently runs 8,500 Caddy models. With a sizeable, well-used fleet, whole life costs were essential to securing the new contract.

Converted to British Gas specification by Bri-stor, the fleet will be supported in the long term by Volkswagen’s extensive aftersales program. Engineers will be able to access any of the 71 Volkswagen Van Centres across the country for regular servicing to help reduce vehicle downtime, and ensure the business continues to run smoothly.

Colin Marriott, Fleet Manager at British Gas, commented: “In order to provide a fantastic service to our customers, we depend on our fleet to travel the length and breadth of the country. 

It was the reliability of Volkswagen’s engineering and aftercare support that was once again a key factor when it came to renewing the fleet, and we look forward to taking delivery of the vehicles.”

Chris Black, Head of Fleet at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK, commented: “Securing a new three year deal with British Gas is a great success, and testament to the quality of the Caddy model and excellent service provided by the Volkswagen Van Centre network.

“British Gas will be one of the first fleets in the UK to take delivery of the new Caddy 4. We continue to work extremely closely with the team from British Gas and were extremely pleased that representatives from the company were able to visit the factory recently to see the first of their Caddy 4 models roll off the line, painted in their distinctive blue colour.”

USA - Camry and Corolla to Create Excitement With Arrival of Special Edition Models.

• Camry and Corolla to Create Excitement With Arrival of Special Edition Models
• Limited Production Models Equipped With Unique Sport-Themed Features

Special Editions for special vehicles.  Toyota’s Camry mid-size sedan, the best-selling car in America for the past 13 years, and Corolla compact sedan, the world’s best-selling car of all-time, will be adding some extra summer sizzle with Special Editions for the 2016 model year.  Both models will begin arriving at Toyota dealers in mid-August. 

 

Camry Special Edition

When redesigning the Camry for 2015, Toyota went bumper to bumper and floor to roof, changing or re-engineering nearly 2,000 parts.  Only the roof remained unchanged, and it capped off the boldest Camry ever.  

Now, only one year after this major redesign, America’s best-selling car will offer the 2016 Camry Special Edition for owner’s looking for an extra dose of both aggressiveness and technology.  Based on the youthful Camry SE, the limited production Camry will add sporty interior and exterior features.  In addition to features found on the Camry SE, standard equipment on the Special Edition will include:

• Unique 18-inch alloy wheels with machined face contrasted with gloss black painted accents and P225/45R18 tires
• Power tilt/slide moonroof
• Smoked tail lamp treatment
• Blue Streak Metallic and Blizzard Pearl exterior colors
• Sport fabric seats with blue inserts and blue contrast stitching; 8-way power-adjusted driver’s seat with power lumbar support; 4-way adjustable front passenger seat
• Dark Blue interior trim
• Unique meter cluster with TFT Multi-Information Display
• Standard Entune Audio Plus with Connected Navigation
• Standard Smart Key System on front doors and trunk with Push Button Start
• Standard Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging
• Unique Special Edition badge and Camry Special Edition logo floor mats

 

The Camry Special Edition will be powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.  Like all Toyota vehicles, the Camry Special Edition will come standard with the Star Safety System.

The Camry Special Edition will carry a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $25,715.

Production of the Camry Special Edition will be limited to approximately 12,000 units and will run from August 2015 to January 2016.

 

Corolla Special Edition

The iconic Toyota Corolla is the world’s best-selling name plate of all-time with over 40 million sold since 1966.  With its all-new 11^th generation introduced in 2014, the current Corolla is the roomiest and most fuel-efficient ever.   

Corolla will add more driving excitement with the launch of the 2016 Corolla Special Edition.  Sporty styling features, inside and out, complement a spirited driving experience made possible with steering wheel paddle shifters, rear disc brakes and Sport Driving Mode along with an array of additional standard features.   

Based on the sporty Corolla S Plus grade, the 2016 Corolla Special Edition will turn heads as it adds:

• Unique 17-inch alloy wheels with gloss black finish
• Smart Key System with push button start
• Black mixed media seats with red contrast stitching
• Black interior with red contrast stitching on steering wheel, shift boot and center armrest
• Red accented dash panel and door trim
• Three exterior colors: exclusive Absolutely Red, Black Sand Pearl and Super White
• Special Edition floor mats with logo and unique exterior badge

Toyota’s Entune™ Premium Audio with Navigation and App Suite and power tilt/slide moonroof will be available as options.

The MSRP for the Corolla Special Edition will be $20,635.

The Corolla Special Edition will be produced between August 2015 and January 2016 and will be limited to approximately 8,000 units.