The Volkswagen Diesel settlement[highlight style=”default”]has been announced[/highlight]. Customers have three options: Opt to have the vehicle bought back, terminate the lease without an early-termination penalty, or accept a repair (repair details have not been announced yet). Each option includes a cash payment from VW.
Click [highlight style=”default”]here[/highlight] for settlement information, including buyback estimates and details of the buyback terms. Starting in July, customers will be able to enter their VINs at [highlight style=”default”]this website[/highlight] to find out how much they will be compensated and to register for compensation.
Toyota has announced [highlight style=”default”]two recalls[/highlight]. One is for 2010 – 2012 Toyota Prius and Toyota Prius Plug-In models, plus 2011 and 2012 Lexus CT200h models. The welds in the side curtain airbags chambers can crack and the inflators can enter the vehicle compartment if inflated. Toyota will install retention brackets.
The second Toyota recall, which may overlap on some models with the airbag recall, is for the [highlight style=”default”]evaporative fuel emissions control units[/highlight] which can crack and leak fuel. The affected models are: 2006 to 2015 Prius, Auris compact hatchback and Corolla. [highlight style=”default”]VINs can be checked[/highlight] on the Toyota site.
A [highlight style=”default”]Tesla Model S driver was killed[/highlight] in a terrible accident when the vehicle, operating in the auto-pilot mode, drove under a tractor trailer that crossed the road in front of the vehicle. This is considered to be the first known death caused by an auto-pilot mode. Tesla states the [highlight style=”default”]driver and vehicle autonomous system didn’t see the white trailer[/highlight] against a bright sky. [highlight style=”default”]NHTSA has been notified[/highlight] and is opening an investigation.
In related news, [highlight style=”default”]BMW won’t be releasing its fleet of fully autonomous vehicles until 2021[/highlight]. BMW Chief Executive Harold Krueger doesn’t feel the technologies are “ready for serious production”. Many questions have yet to be answered with autonomous vehicles – who will be liable for accidents, how does this technology affect insurance, will roads have to be standardized when cities and states are already stretched to keep roads maintained?
[highlight style=”default”]Ford has announced the 2017 MY fleet incentives.[/highlight] Among the incentives offered are $1,500 for the Police Interceptor Utility,$3,000 for the diesel F-Series Super Duty (over 8,500 GVWR), $5,500 for the diesel F-750, and $5,500 for the diesel F-750 tractor.