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AUTO

Honda recalls more than 600K vehicles in US for fuel pumps

FILE- This Feb. 14, 2019 file photo shows a Honda logo at the 2019 Pittsburgh International Auto Show in Pittsburgh. Honda has plans to sell two all-electric SUVs in the U.S. for the 2024 model year, and it soon will offer hybrid gas-electric versions of its top-selling models. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)DETROIT – Honda is recalling more than 628,000 vehicles in the U.S. to replace fuel pumps that can fail, causing the engines to stall. Owners will be notified by mail in late May and dealers will replace the fuel pumps for free. Owners of these models can determine if their vehicles are involved by keying in their vehicle identification number at www.recalls.acura.com or www.recalls.honda.com.

Report: These were the fastest selling cars in Detroit in February 2021

LOUISVILLE, KY-OCTOBER 27: The all-new 2018 Ford Expedition SUV comes off the assembly line at the Ford Kentucky Truck Plant October 27, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)DETROIT – The Volkswagen Passat is the fastest selling used car in the Detroit area, according to data from iSeeCars. But the fastest selling new vehicle in the region is the Ford Expedition. According to ISeeCars, the average new car in Detroit took 46.5 days to sell in February 2021, while the average used car took 49.1 days to sell. To determine the fastest-selling cars in Detroit, iSeeCars said it analyzed 1.2 million new and used car sales in February 2021.

Owners of certain Hyundai and Genesis vehicles warned to ‘park their cars outside’ due to fire risk

For the second time this month, Hyundai is telling some SUV owners to park outdoors because an electrical short in a computer can cause vehicles to catch fire. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)WASHINGTON, D.C, – Owners of certain Hyundai and Genesis vehicles are being warned to “park their cars outside and away from homes, other structures and other flammable materials.”The warning comes as separate recalls have been announced due to the risk of fire. Until the recalled vehicles have been repaired owners are encouraged to park them outside and away from homes and other structures. AdThe recall was made because the anti-lock brake system modules can malfunction and cause an electrical short over time. The recall is because an electrical short internally within the Lithium-Ion battery cells increases the risk of a fire while parked, charging and/or driving.

Fiat Chrysler pleads guilty in corruption case

DETROIT – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, now part of Stellantis, has pleaded guilty in a long-running corruption probe. There will be a federal monitor making sure that there are no improper payments to UAW going forward. FCA stands for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, which now is part of Stellantis, a company created by the merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA Peugeot. “Your honor, we plead guilty,” FCA general counsel Chris Pardi told U.S. District Judge Paul Borman. They are awaiting their sentences in Detroit federal court.

Chief of Cherokee Nation calls on Jeep to stop using tribe’s name

DETROIT – It is time for Jeep to stop using the Cherokee Nation’s name on its Cherokee and Grand Cherokee SUVs, the chief of the Oklahoma-based tribe said. In a recent interview the chief of the Cherokee Nation says it should be time for a change and that comes as the company is set to roll out the next generation of the SUV. Cherokee chief: Time for Jeep to end use of tribe’s nameKristin Starnes, a spokeswoman for Jeep’s parent company, Amsterdam-based Stellantis, said in a statement that the vehicle name was carefully selected “and nurtured over the years to honor and celebrate Native American people for their nobility, prowess and pride.”She didn’t say whether the company was considering renaming the vehicles and didn’t immediately reply to an email requesting that information. AdBoth vehicles are among the most popular SUVs on the market. “I am saying categorically that it is wrong to use our name to peddle a vehicle,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief, Chuck Hoskin Jr.Read more: Automotive news

Shortage of computer chips causes problems for auto industry

DETROIT – A shortage of computer chips is causing problems for the auto industry. General Motors has warned that it is likely to lose around $2 billion this year as a result. READ: Why you should ask about ‘destination fee’s before purchasing a new vehicleFor the auto industry the problem is a supply and demand issue created by manufacturing. Because of the issue many automakers are having to slow or stop production to put the chips in vehicles. Or, if it’s something like a powertrain where every vehicles got it 100 percent of your vehicles have that powertrain chip, then you’re basically stuck,’ he said.

Why you should ask about ‘destination fee’s before purchasing a new vehicle

DETROIT – When you buy a new car, there are usually a lot of fees you have to pay. Included in that fee is a destination fee, which is the charge for delivering the car from the factory to the dealership. He said Stellantis in particular has had destination charges go up. READ: What Stellantis means for jobs, future prospects in Metro Detroit“When assessing vehicle pricing, we do not look at any single element of the pricing equation. There is no requirement that a destination fee be included in advertising.

Some auto industry leaders concerned about over-commitment to electric vehicles

DETROIT – Much of General Motors’ success and positive press in recent months comes from the discussion around electric vehicles. GM wants to sell all electric vehicles by 2035 and be carbon neutral by 2040. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares visited Detroit, looking to introduce himself and see his Detroit plants. Chrysler’s future is likely electric and autonomous. He said the company is aggressively pursuing electric vehicles, but also said the company has to be very careful because electrification adds significant cost.

What Stellantis means for jobs, future prospects in Metro Detroit

DETROIT – What was Chrysler went to Daimler Chrysler then Fiat Chrysler and now Stellantis. The merger was announced over the weekend and the new CEO on Tuesday talked about how the enlarged company will compete. The one thing Stellantis CEO, Carlos Tavares, said Tuesday that should give FCA employees comfort is he doesn’t expect layoffs saying the company’s new global scale will put a shield around jobs. But the CEO says global scale provides strength to handle a lot meaning no layoffs. “I think Stellantis is at a point of strong fundamentals to do great things in the future,” said Tavares.

Stellantis sign goes up outside Auburn Hills HQ after FCA-Peugeot merger

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The merger between PSA Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) that will lead to the creation of Stellantis was officially complete Saturday. The Stellantis sign is now up outside the now former FCA headquarters in Auburn Hills. Stellantis was launched Monday on the Milan and Paris stock exchanges, giving life to the fourth-largest auto company in the world. Read more: Carmaker Stellantis shares jump in Milan, Paris on first day