67º

INSIDER

CARS

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.

Section of Jefferson Street in Ann Arbor closed through April 9

ANN ARBOR – Jefferson Street from Ashley Street to First Street closed Monday morning to through traffic for road construction that is expected to last until 5 p.m. on April 9. According to the city, cars traveling westbound on Jefferson Street will be detoured north on Ashley Street, east on William Street, and south on First Street. Cars traveling eastbound will be detoured south on First Street, east on Madison Street, and north on Ashley. Property owners on Jefferson located in the work zone will be able to access the road throughout the project. Pedestrian traffic will be maintained by the contractor during the project, but some detours may be implemented depending on project developments.

Detroit family home continues to get hit by cars speeding off Lodge Freeway

DETROIT – For decades now the home of Camille Lewis has been the final destination for cars going way too fast while exiting the Lodge Freeway. That’s my grandparents’ house and since I can remember, somebody always runs into our house,” said Lewis. The home is a family house with children inside, so the residents have been pressuring the city to do something. The good news is that they’re both currently working to redesign the ramp to keep this from happening more. Detroit Department of Public Works Director, Dayo Akinyemi, sent Local 4 News this statement in regards to the situation.

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.

South Main Street in Ann Arbor to close Thursday for crane work

ANN ARBOR – The city will be closing both directions of South Main Street between East William Street and Packard Street on Thursday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to facilitate crane work. The city has posted this detour map so drivers are aware of what to expect. The closure will only affect a one-block stretch of road, but with Main Street being a major thoroughfare, the detours may slightly slow your commute. Access will be maintained for local businesses at all times during the construction work while pedestrians will also be detoured along the same route as vehicles. Emergency vehicles are also advised to take the posted detour below:

U-M’s Mcity releases ’80s themed music video to mark fifth anniversary

ANN ARBOR – How come no one is talking about Mcity’s new music video? “We Built Mcity” was released on Dec. 31 and is a spinoff of Starship’s hit song “We Built This City.”The private-public autonomous vehicle technology testing facility on University of Michigan’s North Campus is closed to the public. Behind its walls lies a driverless vehicle testing track which features a mock city, intersections and highways. In the video, Mcity’s staff -- including director Huei Peng -- are seen dancing and lip-syncing along to the custom song whose lyrics center around the facility’s research and mission. For more information, visit www.mcity.umich.edu.

U-M receives nearly $20M to equip Ann Arbor with ‘smart intersections’

ANN ARBOR – A University of Michigan effort focused on the safety of automated and connected vehicles will be bringing more than 20 “smart intersections” to the city of Ann Arbor. These intersections will be capable of collecting and sending information to connected cars in real time. This information will be transmitted to nearby connected vehicles, prompting onboard alarms when cars are in hazardous situations. At its peak, it became the largest connected vehicle deployment in the world, with nearly 3,000 vehicles on the road. Through these projects, researchers were able to provide evidence that connected vehicles can reduce unimpaired collisions by 90%.

Holding company buys Lake Michigan car ferry SS Badger

LUDINGTON, Mich. – A coal-fired ferry that carries people and cars across Lake Michigan between Michigan and Wisconsin has been sold. Interlake Holding Co. announced Wednesday that it bought the SS Badger, The Ludington Daily News reported. The Middleburg Heights, Ohio-based company also purchased the tug-barge Undaunted/Pere Marquette 41, the mothballed ferry SS Spartan, and the Lake Michigan Carferry and Pere Marquette Shipping companies. “I think we’ve always been interested in the Pere Marquette and the Badger,” said Mark Barker, Interlake president. The 410-foot (125-meter) SS Badger launched in 1952 and hauled railcars across Lake Michigan from 1953 to 1990.