The Car Exam News #12: The Cadillac CTS recalled, and Ford wants 20,000 people to drive the new F-150 in advance of its launch

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GM recalls the Cadillac CTS

The Cadillac CTS gets bitten by the recall bug: the Detroit News reports that GM is recalling over 20,000 2009 through 2010 CTS and CTS-V’s. Why? The glove box door—according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration—inflicted “higher than acceptable” leg injuries on crash test dummies during crash tests conducted by one of it's contractors. The CTS was retested a second time—and the test results were worse than the first test.



In addition to repairing the glove box, the instrumental panel beam will need to be replaced on some cars. CTS owners will be notified of the recall beginning in mid-October, although dealers will begin to get the replacement parts in this week in order to begin fixing cars that can’t be sold until the repairs are completed.

Source: The Detroit News (http://www.detnews.com/article/20100920/AUTO01/9200391/1148/GM-recalling-20-000-Cadillac-CTS--CTS-V-models) 9/20/10


Ford Wants YOU to drive the New F-150!

According to USA Today, Ford wants potential customers to test drive its 2011 Ford F-150 pickups with its four new engine choices—before they go on sale. You can go to www.driveF150.com to participate in Ford’s “Built Ford Tough Roundup 2.” About 20,000 people can sign up, so hurry. The test drives will take place in: Dallas, Texas; Houston, Texas; Aberdeen, Maryland; Atlanta, Georgia; Orlando, Florida, and Los Angeles, CA.

Source: USA Today (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/09/ford-wants-20000-to-test-drive-f-150-pickups-with-turbos/1)

P. Scott

The Car Exam News - Edition #3: August 11, 2010 - Honda recalls some models, better MPG for F-150, and The Car Exam's upcoming series on electric cars

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Honda is recalling some models due to roll away risk

Honda announced Monday that it is recalling about 400,000 vehicles (the 2003 Honda Accord and Civic models, as well as the 2003 through 2004 Element)due to concerns that their ignition interlocks could fail, which could allow the vehicles to roll away. This is a result of a two-year investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

In September of 2008, NHTSA began the investigation of the Honda models after getting 15 complaints that alleged 10 crashes, and last month after the lengthy investigation, the NHTSA and Honda agreed that there was problem with those models (only one minor injury has been reported, though). Honda will begin notifying owners in September when their cars can be repaired.

Source: The Detroit News (8/9/10)

2011 Ford F-150 pickups to gain 20% better MPG than 2010 models

Ford announced today its 2011 F-150 Pickup line up will have 20% better MPG than the outgoing 2010 models. The 2011 F-150 series will have the following choices of engines: a 3.7-liter, 300 hp V6; a 5.0-liter, 360 hp V8; a 6.2-liter, 411 hp V8 with 434 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm--it can tow a 11,500 lb trailer; and a twin-turbocharged EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6 (horsepower and torque ratings not yet available). A six-speed automatic transmission will be standard in the F-150 on all engines.

Source: Breitbart.com (8/11/10)




Upcoming: The Car Exam Examines Electric Cars

Coming soon, The Car Exam will begin a multiple-part series on electric cars. The Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf, and the Tesla Roadster will be covered, which one of the three may be most practical right now, and why they may have difficulty grabbing a strong foothold in the market place. Stay tuned!

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