Volkswagen announces how many cars were destroyed by the huge explosion in China last week.

Volkswagen today said that about 2,700 of its imported cars were damaged in last week's blasts at the port in China's Tianjin, which killed more than 100 people.

Tianjin is China's largest port for car imports. Volkswagen's announcement follows Renault confirming that nearly 1,500 of its cars burned in the explosions originating in an area of the port that stored toxic chemicals.

Renault said its car deliveries in China may dip in August and September after the explosion but the company is keeping unchanged its forecast for China deliveries in 2015.

Toyota said three of its production lines in China will stay shut through Aug. 19.

Evacuation orders in the area will prevent Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co. from operating for three days, Toyota spokesman Itsuki Kurosu said. A production line in Xiqing, about 70 kilometers (44 miles) away, will remain shut because it needs parts produced in Tianjin.

The death toll from the Wednesday blasts at a chemical warehouse in Tianjin has risen to 112, while 95 people are still missing, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The area was evacuated Friday and Saturday, and Toyota has said about 50 employees who live in the surrounding areas were injured. Two Toyota dealerships also shut due to the blasts.

As Toyota's largest production location in China, any sustained closure will affect its supply in the world's largest auto market. Tianjin FAW Toyota built about 440,000 Crown, Reiz, Corolla and Vios cars last year, almost half of the company's local vehicle production.

BMW said it has switched to Shanghai as the main harbor for importing vehicles into China. Around 2,000 vehicles a week which would otherwise have gone via Tianjin have been redirected to Shanghai, which normally handles about 10,000 vehicles weekly, BMW said today.

Because access to facilities within 3km of the blast zone remains blocked, BMW is unable to gauge how many of its cars in Tianjin have been damaged. It said damage to cars there is covered by insurance.

BMW also said its plant in Shenyang is operating normally.

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Porsche recalls 918 Spyder Supercar for a "precautionary Service Shop Inspection"

Precautionary recall: affected customers are being contacted directly

Porsche has issued a global recall for 918 Spyder models that have already been delivered. This precautionary recall for a service shop inspection affects 47 vehicles in the UK. 

The recall is because the electric wiring harness for the radiator fan in vehicles manufactured up until the end of April 2015 could be damaged by a carbon-fibre component.

The wiring harness will be examined and optimally remounted in the work shop.

The cause was identified following a detailed examination of complaints. Corrective measures were then immediately taken in manufacturing. 

The owners of the affected vehicles are being contacted directly by their Porsche contact partner. The workshop visit, which will be free of charge, will be arranged as quickly as possible and will likely require the vehicle to be left in the workshop for half a day.

USA RECALL 6 - 2,990 Buick/Chevy models for engine block heater issues.

SUMMARY:

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.

CONSEQUENCE:

Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.

REMEDY:

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.

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.

Ford of Ireland will replace your badges free of charge

Over time, the iconic “blue oval” to be found on the front of all Ford vehicles can become faded or damaged but help is at hand as Ford Ireland has just announced a free Ford blue oval replacement programme*.  Available from participating Ford Dealerships, the replacement offer is open to anyone with a Ford vehicle that is 10 years old or younger.

First introduced on the 1928 Model A car, the Ford blue oval was devised by Ford’s first Chief Engineer and Designer, Childe Harold Wills.  Today it is one of the most recognisable brands in the world as it adorns the front of millions of Ford vehicles on the five continents.  However, like any part of a motor vehicle, it is liable to corrosion and accidental damage.

“For some Ford drivers, a damaged or faded blue oval seriously detracts from the look of their vehicle”, said EddieMurphy, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland. “It is for just that type of driver that we have introduced our free Ford oval replacement programme – my advice to them would be to find out their nearest participating Ford Dealer and get the oval replaced”.

Ford drivers can get more information on the blue oval replacement programme on ford.ie or by contacting their local Ford Dealer.