Issues
Ford Recalling 575,000 Windstar Minivans for Rear Axle Problem
Ford will announce on Friday that it is issuing a voluntary recall of 575,000 1998-2003 Windstar minivans because of rear axles rusting, said Said Deep, a Ford spokesman.
In May, the National HighwayTraffic Safety Administration opened a preliminary evaluation into broken rear axles on 1999–2003 Windstars. At the time, the agency said it had received 234 complaints, including two reports of accidents (and no injuries).
Cap But No Trade
By Jonathan Chait
October 21, 2010
…The proposal will call for a 20 percent reduction in heat-trapping emissions from trucks’ tailpipes, according to Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign….
Gov’t pushes fuel efficiency
By Staff and Wire Reports
October 26, 2010
…Dan Becker, director of the safe climate campaign for the Center for Auto Safety, said that though the administration deserves credit for issuing the standards, "the bad news is that the proposal leaves almost half of the pollution savings on the table compared to what the National Academy of Sciences recommended." …
Auto Dealers Doth Protest Too Much Over Proposed Fuel Economy Letter Grades
bnet.com
By Jim Motavalli
October 25, 2010
…Some greens, including Dan Becker of the Safe Climate Campaign at the Center for Auto Safety, actually want the window sticker to go further. There’s a lot of debate about how pure electric and plug-in hybrid cars will be evaluated. Under the proposed letter grade system, zero emission battery EVs would get the only A+ grades….
Big rig trucks may be subject to fuel efficiency standards
Marketplace
By Sarah Gardner
October 25, 2010
…DAN BECKER: The trucking industry and the auto industry in general have been very powerful and have resisted change….
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Schumer Leads Way In Battle For Rental Car Safety Provision
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Trade Commission is being asked to explain why the rental car industry shouldn’t have to live by the same rule that requires auto dealers to fix vehicles under recall notice before they can be sold.
Two consumer groups and a key lawmaker — Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. — have asked the FTC to force the country’s largest rental company, Enterprise Holdings Inc., to fix vehicles under recall before renting them out. Enterprise Holdings is the parent company of rental car companies Enterprise, National and Alamo.
BMW Recalling 130,000 Cars for Problems With Its Twin-Turbo Engine
BMW is recalling about 130,000 2007–10 vehicles because of emissions problems involving the twin-turbocharged 6-cylinder engines used on many of its most popular models.
The automaker said it had informed the Environmental Protection Agency of the problem, which could require the replacement of the high-pressure fuel pump or changing computer software.
The announcement comes after an ABC News report questioning the safety of the vehicles. ABC interviewed owners who said a sudden loss of power made the vehicles unsafe.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Defect Petition File – DP09-005
Updated 5/5/15
Feds Push for Better Fuel Efficiency for Trucks
October 25, 2010
…Dan Becker, director of the safe climate campaign for the Center for Auto Safety, said that while the administration deserves credit for issuing the standards, the bad news is that the proposal leaves almost half of the pollution savings on the table compared to what the National Academy of Sciences recommended….