Ford Recalls Mach-E, Maverick and F150
Ford Motor Co. has confirmed it’s recalling a combined 2,626 all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUVs and Maverick pickup trucks in the United States over an issue that could result in rear-seat belts not adequately restraining a passenger in a crash. Vehicles affected by the issue “have rear-floor assemblies produced with tapping plates that may have oversized extruded bolt holes,” which are used to attach the rear-seat belt buckles, according to a company statement.
Ford also began the new year mailing recall notices to 184,698 owners of certain 2021-’22 Ford F-150 pickups, warning the driveshaft may fracture and prevent wheels from turning properly — increasing crash risk, according to a filing with federal regulators. The driveshaft, which transfers torque to other parts of the vehicle, may become fractured in affected trucks, Ford said.
GM’s Parts Catalog Goes Online
General Motors (GM) now runs an online auto-parts store. The automaker says the expansion of its digital “marketplace” makes its catalog of more than 45,000 repair and maintenance parts more convenient for Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac owners.
The automaker expects the expanded e-commerce effort will boost revenue growth. Merchandise includes oil filters, engine and cabin air filters, batteries, brake pads, accessory belts, cooling hoses and windshield wiper blades, among other things.
Luxury Brand Sales Surge While Others Languish
Luxury car brands such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Porsche and BMW have reported record sales, thanks to customers who have craved them and manufacturers that have directed scarce chips toward their most profitable models. With international travel stalled during the pandemic and many avenues of flashy spending closed to them, a young generation of luxury-car consumers went on a shopping spree last year.
Porsche Debuts New Platinum Cayenne Models
Porsche recently announced it’s expanding the Cayenne model range with the introduction of the Platinum Edition models, which are characterized by exclusive design elements and an added level of standard equipment.
The result is an even more stylish appearance and an attractive value proposition. The Platinum Edition will be available for Cayenne, Cayenne E-Hybrid and Cayenne S models, as well as the respective coupe derivatives.
The luxurious and stylish appearance of the Cayenne Platinum Edition is emphasized by many model-specific design details painted in Satin Platinum, such as intakes in the front fascia, the rear Porsche logotype integrated into the LED taillight, and the model designation. The standard 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels in Satin Platinum are exclusively available on the Platinum Edition Cayenne models. Standard sport tailpipes in black and window trim in high-gloss black underscore the sporty and elegant look of the special models.
The Cayenne Platinum Editions can be ordered in solid white or black, as well as in select metallic tones — Jet Black, Carrara White, Mahogany, Moonlight Blue or Chalk (a special color).
Ford Tops GM in EV Market Battle
Ford Motor Co. has moved into second place in U.S. electric-vehicle sales, behind Tesla Inc. and overtaking General Motors Co., whose Chevrolet Bolt EV has been hobbled by a recall and is set to be retired.
Ford’s performance was buoyed by the Mustang Mach-E, which notched 27,140 sales in 2021, its first full year on the market, according to a recent statement by the company. The automaker recently said it’s tripling production at the Mexican plant that builds the plug-in car. Ford also said it’s doubling production of the battery-powered F-150 Lightning pickup that goes on sale this spring. The news sent the company’s stock to a 20-year high.
Hyundai Ties for Most Car and Driver 2022 Editors’ Choice Awards
Hyundai has tied for the most Car and Driver 2022 Editors’ Choice awards in the industry, with 11 unique models winning for the brand. Editors’ Choice represents Car and Driver’s annual pick of the industry’s top cars, trucks, crossovers and SUVs — vehicles the editors would love to have in their garages and ones they recommend to their readers, friends and families. The list evaluates the roughly 400 models in the U.S. market and selects the very best.
For 2022, the following Hyundai models received Editors’ Choice awards in this order: Accent, Elantra, Ioniq, Kona, Kona Electric, Palisade, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Sonata, Tucson and Veloster.
“We are greatly honored to tie for the most Car and Driver 2022 Editors’ Choice awards with 11 models,” said Ricky Lao, director, product planning, Hyundai Motor North America. “These 11 models together represent a majority of our lineup and nearly every market segment, and we are pleased that Car and Driver recognizes so many of our models for their collective excellence.”
Nissan Giving Up on Gas Engines
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. plans to stop developing new internal-combustion engines in all its major markets except the United States and focus on making electric vehicles, the Nikkei business daily reported recently. The automaker will continue limited development of its gasoline engines for the U.S. market, mainly for pickup trucks, according to Nikkei, which did not cite any sources.
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