USA - The range of companies under the GM Banner and with the Ignition issues has been resolved via the US SEC.

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) announced today that it has resolved a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation arising from the company’s 2014 ignition switch recalls by consenting to an administrative SEC Cease and Desist Order, without admitting or denying any wrongdoing. 

The SEC settlement does not call into question any of GM’s current or prior financial statements or its disclosures.  Also, no material weakness or significant deficiency was found by the SEC. 

The pictures above and description of models at the base are just a small percentage of the models that have been recalled for the Ignition issues, if you have any queries, try >>HERE<< there is more info, and if you are still unsure, then contact your local GM dealership and they will be more than happy to check out if your car has been recalled or not - and if it still needs doing.

Since the ignition switch recall, GM has been proactively and successfully resolving ignition switch issues with customers and regulators at both the state and federal level. GM will pay a civil penalty of $1 million as part of the settlement.

In the months immediately following the ignition switch recall, GM reorganized its vehicle engineering teams for greater transparency, urgency and accountability. This included creating a new global vehicle safety organization that is focused on executing zero-defect safety systems for vehicles and customers.

The safety organization includes an industry-leading emerging issues and data analysis team and a re-engineered field investigation process. The company also created a “Speak Up For Safety” program that provides all employees and suppliers an opportunity to report or suggest any potential safety related items.

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.

USA RECALL 2 - Toyota expands the Takata airbag failures by another 540,000 Units

Toyota Motor North America, Inc. today announced that, based on recent information from Takata as required by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it is expanding its recall involving Takata front passenger air bag inflators. 

The involved vehicles are equipped with a particular type of Takata inflator.  According to Takata, a safety defect may arise in front passenger air bag inflators in the involved vehicles due to inflator propellant degradation occurring after prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.  

This may result in an inflator rupture when the air bag deploys.

This expansion involves approximately 543,000 additional vehicles in the U.S.  The following models are included:

• 2008 – 2009 and 2012 Model Year Scion xB
• 2009 and 2012 Model Year Toyota Corolla
• 2009 and 2012 Model Year Toyota Corolla Matrix
• 2007 – 2009 and 2012 Model Year Toyota Yaris
• 2012 Model Year Toyota 4Runner
• 2012 Model Year Toyota Sienna
• 2006 – 2009 and 2012 Model Year Lexus IS250/350
• 2012 Model Year Lexus IS250C/350C
• 2008 – 2009 and 2012 Model Year Lexus IS-F
• 2007 – 2009 and 2012 Model Year Lexus ES350
• 2012 Model Year Lexus GX460
• 2012 Model Year Lexus LFA 

All known owners of the involved Toyota, Scion, and Lexus vehicles will be notified by first class mail starting in February.  Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace either the front passenger air bag inflator or air bag assembly at no cost.   

Information about automotive recalls, including but not limited to the list of involved vehicles, is subject to change over time.  For the most up-do-date Safety Recall information on Toyota, Lexus or Scion vehicles, customers should check their vehicle’s status by visiting toyota.com/recall and entering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).  Safety Recall inquiry by individual VIN is also available at the NHTSA site: safercar.gov/vin.  Additional details regarding Takata recalls can be found at safercar.gov/rs/takata.

For any additional questions, customer support is also available by calling Toyota Customer Service

at 1-800-331-4331, or Lexus Customer Service at 1-800-255-3987.

USA RECALL - SCION - Toyota recalls the FR-S for possible removal of ignition key whilst not in park mode.

Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. today announced that it is conducting a safety recall of approximately 26,000 Model Year 2013-2016 Scion FR-S vehicles. 

In the involved vehicles, connectors for the automatic transmission key interlock on some vehicles may not have been connected during pre-delivery service prior to sale.  

If this delivery mode connector is not connected, it is possible to remove the key in gear positions other than “Park”, causing the vehicles not to comply with a portion of Federal/Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114.  This could increase the risk of vehicle rollaway and a crash. 

All known owners of the subject vehicles will be notified by first class mail and instructed to return the vehicle to a Toyota dealer to have the ignition key interlock function confirmed, and if necessary, delivery mode connectors connected at no charge.

Information about automotive recalls, including but not limited to the list of involved vehicles, is subject to change over time.  For the most up-to-date Safety Recall information on Lexus, Toyota and Scion customers should check their vehicle’s status by visiting http://www.toyota.com/recall and entering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).  Safety Recall inquiry by individual VIN is also available at the NHTSA site:safercar.gov/vin.  For any additional questions, customer support is also available by calling Toyota Customer Service at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus Customer Service at 1-800-255-3987.

USA - After 13 years, One Million sales and huge loyalty, Toyota is dumping Scion and integrating it into Toyota.

• Valuable Insights Will Aid Toyota in Attracting New, Young Customers

Scion, established as a separate brand in 2003 as a laboratory to explore new products and processes to attract youth customers, is now transitioning back to the Toyota brand. 

Scion achieved its goals of developing unique products and processes, and bringing in new, younger customers to Toyota. With more than a million cars sold, 70 percent of Scions were purchased by customers new to Toyota and 50 percent were under 35 years old.

“This isn’t a step backward for Scion; it’s a leap forward for Toyota. Scion has allowed us to fast track ideas that would have been challenging to test through the Toyota network,” said Jim Lentz, founding vice president of Scion and now CEO, Toyota Motor North America. 

“I was there when we established Scion and our goal was to make Toyota and our dealers stronger by learning how to better attract and engage young customers. I’m very proud because that’s exactly what we have accomplished.

“We could not have achieved the success we have had without the incredible support of Scion’s customers, dealers and team members, so supporting them throughout this transition process will be one of our top priorities,” said Lentz.

Toyota’s decision was made in response to customers’ needs. Today’s younger buyers still want fun-to-drive vehicles that look good, but they are also more practical. They, like their parents, have come to appreciate the Toyota brand and its traditional attributes of quality, dependability and reliability. At the same time, new Toyota vehicles have evolved to feature the dynamic styling and handling young people desire. 

Scion has consistently been the youngest brand in the auto industry with an average age of 36 years old. At 29, the tC sports coupe has the lowest-average age buyer in the industry. The most recent additions to the line-up, the iA sedan and iM 5-door hatchback, are bringing in new buyers with 70 percent being first-time new car purchasers. Additionally, more than 50 percent of iM and iA buyers are under 35 years old. 

As part of the brand transition, beginning in August 2016, MY17 Scion vehicles will be rebadged as Toyotas. The FR-S sports car, iA sedan and iM 5-door hatchback will become part of the Toyota family. The tC sports coupe will have a final release series edition and end production in August 2016. The C-HR, which recently debuted at the L.A. Auto Show, will be a part of the Toyota line-up.

The service and repair process for Scion customers will be unaffected by this change as customers will continue to visit Toyota dealerships’ service departments. 

“We appreciate our 1,004 Scion dealers and the support they’ve given the brand,” said Bob Carter, Toyota senior vice president of automotive operations. “We believe our dealers have gained valuable insights and have received a strong return on their investment. During this time of transition, we will work closely with them to support this process and help communicate this change to customers.” 

Scion’s 22 dedicated team members, who represent sales, marketing, distribution, strategy, and product and accessories planning, will have the opportunity to take on new jobs at Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. in Torrance. Scion regional representatives will assume different responsibilities in their respective Toyota sales offices. 

“Scion has had some amazing products over the years and our current vehicles are packed with premium features at value prices,” said Andrew Gilleland, Scion vice president. “It’s been a great run and I’m proud that the spirit of Scion will live on through the knowledge and products soon to be available through the Toyota network.”

Scion Accomplishments:

Scion Processes - Scion served as a laboratory for products and key sales and marketing processes that have provided valuable lessons for other Toyota brands:

• Pure Pricing – dealers set a price for a car and customers did not need to negotiate
• Mono-Spec cars – providing cars with only two options: transmission and color
• Personalization – offering a large array of accessories to help customers customize their vehicles
• Pure Process – transparent financing process
• Pure Process Plus – an online system so much of the car-purchase process could be completed online
• Scion Service Boost – pre-paid maintenance plan
• Release Series – dynamic life cycle management through special features and options
• Grassroots marketing – initial Scion brand was “discovered” by customers through unique events

Scion Products -- Scion has had some outstanding products that have made an impact in the industry including the original “box,” the xB and the FR-S affordable sports car. The tC sports coupe has consistently attracted the youngest buyer in the industry.

Scion Executives -- Scion served as an important training ground for Toyota vice presidents, many of whom have been promoted to other roles:

• Jim Lentz -- Chief Executive Officer, Toyota Motor North America
• Mark Templin – Managing Officer, Toyota Motor Corporation, Executive Vice President, Lexus International
• Jack Hollis – Group Vice President, Toyota Marketing
• Doug Murtha – Group Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Planning, Toyota Motor North America
• Andrew Gilleland – current Vice President, Scion

Scion sales by model and year:

Scion Sales History 2003 - 2015
	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	Total
FR-S									0	11,417	18,327	14,062	10,507	54,313
iQ								0	248	8,879	4,046	2,040	482	15,695
tC		28,062	74,415	79,125	63,852	40,980	-17,998	15,204	-22,433	-22,666	-19,094	-17,947	-16,459	418,235
xB	6,936	47,013	54,037	61,306	45,834	45,220	-25,461	-20,364	-17,017	-19,789	-17,849	-16,583	-15,223	392,632
xD					10,948	27,665	-14,499	10,110	-9,573	-10,756	-9,005	7,377	794	100,727
xA	3,962	24,184	28,033	32,603	9,547	39	3							98,371
iA													7,605	7,605
iM													5,097	5,097
Total	10,898-	99,259	-156,485	-173,034-	130,181-	113,904	-57,961	-45,678	-49,271	-73,507	-68,321	-58,009	56,167	-1,092,675