Monthly Archives: April 2013

Volvo C30 Electric gets unique fast charger, full recharge in 1.5 hours

Volvo C30 Electric

Volvo has unveiled the world’s first on-board 22 kW fast-charger that operates on a three-phase supply and is compact enough to be fitted in a C30 Electric.

Honda, Nissan issue recalls in U.S., Canada

Honda is recalling over 225,000 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada for a problem related to the brakes and transmission, reported CNN Money.

In the U.S., the recall affects about 128,000 Honda CR-V SUVs and 59,000 Odyssey minivans of model years (MY) 2012-2013 and 17,500 Acura RDX sedans of MY2013. In Canada, about 14,000 CR-V, 4,500 Odyssey and 2,300 RDX vehicles are being recalled.

Counterfeit Tech2 distributor faces jail time

A Virginia man was recently sentenced in federal court to serve one year and one day in prison for selling counterfeit General Motors (GM) automotive diagnostic devices used by technicians to identify problems with and assure the safety of motor vehicles, announced U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Neil H. MacBride, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s criminal division, FBI Assistant Director Ronald T. Hosko of the criminal investigative division and Jeffrey C. Mazanec, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Richmond field office.

U.S. Bill introduced to give away OEM parts patents to boost aftermaket competiton

U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch

U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), current member and former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), introduced the Promoting Automotive Repair, Trade and Sales Act of 2013 (PARTS), a bipartisan bill which would expand consumer choice for automobile collision repair parts, cut costs paid by insurers and drivers, and ensure competition in the automobile repair parts market.

Idle Smart releases next generation idle reduction solution

Idle Smart announced that it has released the next generation of its patented idle reduction solution.

Their automatic start-stop system is unlike any other solution in the market and is designed specifically to meet the needs of fleet owners, maintenance managers and drivers.