Toyota has chosen to name its first hydrogen fuel cell car after the Japanese word for ‘future’ and claims that the new model represents a turning point in the automotive industry.
Carmakers confuse U.S. drivers in deadly air bag saga
By Barbara Liston, Julia Edwards and Patrick Rucker
In recent weeks, hundreds of thousands of U.S. Toyota drivers have received a stern warning by first-class mail: Immediately drive to your dealer to replace a flawed air bag, and in the meantime don’t let anyone sit on the passenger side.
Daimler to cease Li-ion battery cell production at Li-Tec
Daimler subsidiary Li-Tec will cease production of Li-ion battery cells in December 2015. As quoted in Der Spiegel Daimler-manager Harald Kröger said that “Our cells are very good, but at current production figures far too expensive. We have realized that a car manufacturer does not have to produce the cells themselves.”
Ford Shares Could Climb 30%
By Jack Hough
Ford could be headed for a big pickup next year. The company began production this past week of its aluminized F-150, a high-stakes redesign of its lucrative truck—by far the nation’s top-selling vehicle. Judging by early opinions, investors can rule out a flop. “It is the best-handling full-size pickup I’ve ever driven,” wrote a Wards Auto reviewer last week. “Impressive all around,” declared Kelley Blue Book after a 1,300-mile test drive last month.
First VW Polo BlueMotion to have gasoline-fueled TSI technology
Volkswagen is introducing its first fuel-saving BlueMotion vehicle with a gasoline-fueled TSI engine with the Polo TSI BlueMotion. Improvements to the TSI engine management system have made it possible to reduce fuel consumption by a further 0.2 liters to 4.1 l/100 km (57 mpg US) and emissions to 94 g/km CO2.
