Seven automakers (BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Jaguar-Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen) added another 4.4 million vehicles to the list of [highlight style=”default”]vehicles recalled due to defective Takata airbags[/highlight]. NHTSA continues to prioritize the recall, focusing first on older vehicles, as well as those in regions like Southern Florida, largely because of a shortage of replacement parts. In fact, NHTSA is allowing some automakers, including Toyota and BMW, to use newer versions of the suspect airbags as temporary replacements for older bags. The theory is that the risk of a malfunction increases with age. But those vehicles will eventually be faced with a second recall once newer, safer bags are available.
GM announced its largest recall of Takata air bag inflators yet, as part of the 4.4 million vehicles under recall, but said the parts are unique to its trucks and SUVs and don’t pose a safety risk. NHTSA disagrees and stated that GM, the nation’s biggest automaker, [highlight style=”default”]must proceed with two recalls adding up to 1.9 million trucks[/highlight] from the 2007 through 2011 model years. NHTSA spokesman Bryan Thomas said GM has filed paperwork declaring the inflators defective and that they will be recalled. “The science clearly shows that these inflators become unsafe over time,” he said.
Ford Motor Co. has issued a [highlight style=”default”]recall for faulty braking systems[/highlight] in F-150 pickups, the automaker’s most popular product and the bestselling vehicle in America for most of the past 30 years. The recall includes about 271,000 pickups in the 2013 and 2014 model years. Ford said those trucks need their master cylinders replaced to ensure that possible leakage of brake fluid does not compromise braking performance. Nine accidents have been alleged to be associated with the brake issue, but no injuries occured per Ford.
[highlight style=”default”]Hyundai has announced fleet incentives[/highlight] for 11 of its 2017 model-year vehicles. Hyundai has begun offering an incentive for its Sonata plug-in hybrid. Hyundai’s car incentives include $1,000 for its Accent subcompact car; $2,000 for the Sonata; $3,000 for the Sonata Hybrid; $3,000 for the Sonata plug-in hybrid; $2,000 for the Elantra compact car (all variants); $2,000 for the Veloster compact car; and $2,500 for the Azera full-size sedan.
Hyundai’s SUV incentives include $1,500 for the Tucson compact SUV; $2,000 for the Santa Fe mid-size SUV; and $2,000 for the Santa Fe Sport mid-size SUV.
Pre- and post-trip vehicle inspections benefit fleets of all sizes and types. Fleet managers need to provide the training necessary for fleet drivers to understand what to assess and how to determine if something is wrong with the vehicle.
Knowing where to look and understanding the difference between a properly functioning vehicle versus one encountering any number of issues, such as low tire pressure, helps avoid vehicle breakdowns and potentially save a driver’s life. Click [highlight style=”default”]here[/highlight] to find out more about the benefits of pre- and post-trip vehicle inspections.
Recruiting and retaining qualified personnel, succession planning, and staff development rank as the top challenges for state and local governments for the second year in a row, according to a recently released survey. Retirements and employee resignations have increased and some of the most difficult positions to fill are mechanics and skilled trades per the survey results. Click [highlight style=”default”]here[/highlight] to find out more about the survey results.