Man sets fire to used Mercedes

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Posted in General Auto News, Mercedes-Benz

One great thing about buying a used Mercedes is that the brand name will mean that it will always be easy to sell later, and if its truly a classic, it may even appreciate in value. However, one man’s attempts to sell his used Mercedes were dashed when an arsonist allegedly set fire to the vehicle and posted the pictures to Facebook.

Asgard Tarick Gilbert, 36, of Belfast, Maine, has been arrested and charged with felony arson, according to the Bangor News. The owner of the vehicle, a 1982 Mercedes, had been attempting to sell it. Police came upon the blaze and Gilbert snapping pictures on June 28th. Gilbert claimed to the two officers that he had recently discovered the fire.

The officers took down his information as a person of interest in the case. Gilbert later returned to the scene and took pictures of the charred car, posting them on Facebook along with the original photos in an album marked “Warzone.” This caused police to issue a warrant for the seizure of his computer and cell phone.

However, the real break came when police investigated the security tapes of the nearby Belfast Variety convenience store. The tapes show Gilbert on his bike at 12:30 AM, filling a gas can with kerosene before speeding away.

Gilbert is currently being held on $2,000 bail.

Consultants say Toyota must improve quality control

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Posted in Toyota

Independent consultants have advised Japanese automaker Toyota to begin a full assessment of its quality control procedures in the wake of the company’s massive recalls.

Toyota has faced scrutiny from a number of independent bodies, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, who slapped the company with a $16.4 million dollar fine for failing to respond properly to recalls. The company has vowed to improve its safety, but it has also run into trouble with its independent experts.

E-mails obtained by the Associated Press showed that the company was not pleased with the work of independent hire Professor David Gilbert, whose findings showed that electronics may be to blame in the vehicles’ failings. Exponent, a consulting firm hired by the automaker, was criticized by a House committee for its past results that seemed to always favor the auto industry.

The consultants’ recommended that Toyota beef up their quality controls. Toyota has publicly apologized for the safety issues and plans to spend millions to improve its safety and consumer complaint divisions.

While Toyota sorts out its mechanical issues, prospective car buyers may want to consider a used Toyota, as the early-decade models are well-known for their safety and reliability.

Toyota has recalled over 8.5 million vehicles since October.

Nissan to temporarily halt production

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Posted in Nissan

Nissan has stopped production at four of its five Japanese auto plants, because of a delay in critical parts delivered from a third party. The stoppage of production could result in fewer cars for sale in the Japanese market.

Japanese manufacturer Hitachi said that its engine control unit, an important component of car engines, would be delayed. Although Hitachi supplies other Japanese manufacturers, Nissan is the most affected – 90 percent of Hitachi’s production line was to go to Nissan, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Hitachi likewise blamed the problem on a supplier of integrated circuits, part of the ECU. “The supply of a specific IC chip suddenly declined this month, and the supplier has yet to tell us why exactly this is happening,” managing director Yasuhiko Honda said at a joint press conference with Nissan.

Nissan has not yet ascertained the potential financial impact of the delay, but expects that it will produce 15,000 fewer cars as a result. Hitachi has said that it is working with the supplier to obtain a shipment for late July or August so that production may continue.

Ford and Chrysler are the latest to recall

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Chrysler - DO NOT USE, Ford

In the wake of the massive Toyota recalls, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is cracking down on auto companies’ safety defects more than ever. The two latest brands forced to recall vehicles are Ford and Chrysler.

According to Reuters, Ford will recall 33,700 of its Transit Connect commercial vans, due to an interior liner flaw that may not properly protect a driver in case of a crash. The vans are popular among small businesses and similar ventures.

“In the event of a vehicle crash, an occupant could be at increased risk of injury,” the NHTSA summarized in a letter to Ford.

Meanwhile, Chrysler will recall 22,000 of its 2010 model Dodge Nitro, Ram 1500, and Jeep Liberty and Wrangler trucks and SUVs, due to a tube problem that may leak brake fluid.

Those in the market for a vehicle may want to avoid new cars until recalls and defects are sorted out. Small businesses, for example, may opt to buy a used Ford Transit with no history of defects in order to ensure their business runs smoothly and uninterrupted by safety recalls.

Study says brightly-colored cars less likely to be stolen

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Posted in General Auto News

A Dutch study of car theft data has found that brightly-colored cars are less likely to be stolen than their more commonly-colored counterparts.

Ben Vollaard, an assistant professor of economics at the University of Tilburg, analyzed car theft data in the Netherlands and found that colors like silver, black and blue were stolen at a much higher rate than rare colors like yellow or pink.

Black is the most commonly stolen color, although Vollaard partially attributes this to the popularity of black as a color for luxury vehicles like Mercedes or BMWs. Interestingly, a pink car has not been stolen in the Netherlands in the past three years.

Vollaard concludes that thieves steal brightly or uncommonly colored at an average rate of 40 percent less than other vehicles – about the same as a LoJack or other antitheft system.

The study speculates various reasons for the discrepancy, the strongest being that cars are often stolen for a specific export order, as was the case with a recent New York used car theft ring that was exporting stolen vehicles – specifically silver ones – to buyers in Senegal. Another possibility is that police could quickly spot a thief in a yellow car.

However, the bright color does come with a price. While it won’t cost anything extra at the dealer, a color like yellow can drive down a car’s resale value by about $1,000 dollars, according to the National Auto Auction Association.

Ford ups sales in China

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Posted in Ford

China is an emerging market for automakers, with each trying to establish their market share in the rapidly-developing nation. American company Ford got some good news, as their sales in the first half of the year in China broke their previous record.

According to the Associated Press, Ford sold 301,524 vehicles in China during the first six months, up 53 percent from the same time in 2009. In China, Ford sells its companies through two sources: the Changan Ford Mazda Automobile company, a joint venture with Mazda, and Jiangling Motors, a Chinese automaker that provides Ford with an additional dealer network for the Ford Transit van.

Jiangling sold 88,363 Fords, while Changan Ford Mazda sold 205,563. Both were records for the respective companies, as well as a record for Ford overall.

Ford still lags behind GM in China, although it is slowly gaining market share. GM sold 1.2 million cars in China during the same period, actually outpacing its American sales for the first time.

Automakers are still trying to figure out Chinese preferences in automobiles. It appears that compact and performance-oriented vehicles are popular, and Ford’s new Fiesta subcompact led the way. Ford will also debut a compact Focus in the Chinese market later this year.

Used BMWs may have steering issues

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Posted in BMW

Those in the market for a used BMW might want to beware, as one iteration of the company’s Z4 sports car could have a power steering issue.

Reuters reports that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will investigate 48,764 units of the Z4 that were sold between 2003 and 2005. The regulatory body has received 107 complaints of a loss of power steering in the vehicle.

Hydraulic power steering systems allow drivers to easily navigate a vehicle with minimal effort. However, should the system fail, steering wheels can lock up or bind, requiring the driver to exert undue pressure in order to maintain the car’s trajectory.

The specific problem with the Z4 also seems more likely at speeds over 45 miles per hour and heat over 75 degrees.

The complaints included one accident, and several losses of control with “near-miss incidents,” according to the news source.

Consumers looking for a used car may want to steer clear of the Z4 until the investigation is complete. However, there are plenty of deals to be found on other used BMW models that are unaffected by the issue.

Nissan plans hybrid move

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Nissan

Nissan has announced that it will debut its own hybrid system, over a decade after competitors have already been selling the vehicles.

The Japanese automaker may be late to the hybrid game, but the company says that its patience has paid off in the form of more effective hybrid technology. According to Reuters, Nissan’s in-house developed system features a single electric motor that detaches from the gasoline engine when fully charged, allowing travel on purely electric power. In addition, its battery is made of lithium-ion, a lighter and more efficient option than the nickel used in vehicles like the Toyota Prius.

Nissan will debut the features on its upcoming Infiniti M hybrid. A spokesman for the automaker says that the car will get at least 60 to 90 percent better fuel economy, and hopes to double its EPA-estimated mileage per gallon. The company also plans to begin selling its all-electric Leaf model in December.

Although lithium-ion is lightweight, it is also more expensive than its nickel-metal counterparts. Those who want a more affordable hybrid vehicle may want to search for a used Toyota Prius.

Toyota recalls to continue

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Toyota

The past couple of months have not been kind to Toyota. The Japanese automaker, whose Corolla and Camry models have often been praised for their durability and safety, may reportedly institute even more recalls. The company has already recalled 10 million vehicles since September, with many due to an unintended acceleration problem that has put the automaker in hot water with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

However, those aren’t the only problems the automaker faces. In recent weeks, Toyota has also recalled some Lexus hybrids for a fuel leak problem, as well as several thousand more cars for a problem with airbag deployment.

Now, there is widespread speculation that Toyota will recall 27,000 more vehicles for faulty engines. According to the Associated Press, the company has received over 200 complaints of engine issues, some of which cite a strange noise coming from the vehicle. While the company has yet to issue a recall, a Toyota spokesperson has said the company is considering its options.

While new Toyotas have been plagued by a variety of issues, used Toyota cars may still provide the reliability that drivers are looking for. In addition, the resale value of Toyotas has taken a hit in the wake of these announcements, so drivers may be able to find deals.

Edmunds picks used car “best bets”

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Posted in BMW, Ford, General Auto News, Honda - DO NOT USE, Hyundai, Toyota

Auto website Edmunds recently listed its 2010 picks for “best bets” on the used car market. The awards are based on three issues: reliability, safety and availability. Those interested in purchasing a used car may want to consider picking up some of these models.

The picks were restricted to 2003-2008. Toyota was the most-picked brand, with its Camry, Tacoma and Prius models taking home their respective categories. Honda also put in a good showing, earning praise for its CR-V and Odyssey. Hyundai also had two cars, with the Azera and Elantra winning the large and compact sedan categories.

The rest of the field was a bit of a grab bag, but notable winners include the Ford F-150 for a large truck, BMW 3 Series for a coupe, and Infiniti G35 for a luxury vehicles.

Sometimes it pays for consumers to wait until models have been on the road for a few years to see which will remain reliable and live up to their billing. Then, drivers can be sure to pick up the best-designed models at a discount on the used car market.