Feds Open Investigation On Tesla Model S Touchscreen Failures

Posted on Jun 25, 2020Written by admin

An investigation has been opened by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) into reports of potential media-control unit failures fitted in approximately 63,000 Tesla Model S vehicles.

The NHTSA has received 11 complaints alleging failures of the media control unit on 2013-2015 Model S vehicles. The media control unit uses a Nvidia Tegra 3 processor with an integrated 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device, a device that has a finite lifespan based on the number of program/erase cycles. Tesla’s media control unit fails to operate once the eMMC NAND flash device is worn out.

Failures of the flash device are likely to occur after periods of progressively degraded performance such as longer power-up times, more frequent touchscreen rests, intermittent loss of cellular connectivity, and loss of navigation. If the media control unit does fail, it results in a loss of audible and visual features provided by the touchscreen, including infotainment systems, navigation, and web browsing. It also means the image provided by the reversing camera is not shown. MCU failure can also cause the climate control to default to Auto mode while also limiting battery charging current and maximum state of charge when recharging.

One complaint made with the NHTSA alleges that when the media control unit failed, the owner was unable to clear fogged windows as he could not change the climate controls. Another complaint says that a failure meant the safety monitors associated with the Tesla Autopilot system were disabled.

A total of 159,000 2012-2018 Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles use this media control unit, but no such investigation has been opened into the Model X.

FCA, PSA Fail To Offer Early Concessions, Will Likely Face Longer EU Antitrust Probe

Posted on Jun 11, 2020Written by admin

Earlier this week, it was reported that EU antitrust regulators were concerned regarding FCA and PSA’s combined high market share in small vans, and were expecting the two carmakers to address these concerns in a matter of days.

It seems that neither brand managed to do so, and now an expedited process might be out of the question, as reported by Autonews Europe.

Going forward, the European Commission will likely open a so-called Phase Two investigation that would delay the concessions deadline until October. The two companies are still planning on completing their merger during Q1 of next year.

FCA and PSA decided to merge back in December and have kept those hopes alive despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the disruption it has caused within the industry. It’s also unclear how the EU will take into account the plummeting demand for new cars in the region due to the pandemic.

“Regulatory approval of Fiat Chrysler-Peugeot’s tie-up is still likely, given potential antitrust concerns are small compared with the deal’s size,” said Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Aitor Ortiz. “They may be addressed with remedies. These concerns should send the deal to a phase-two review.”

Even though the companies were told that their combined high market share in small vans was what worried competition enforcers, Ortiz claims that their most problematic overlaps may be in minicars and small SUVs, where their combined market share could reach roughly 65 percent.

However, based on data from the PSA-Opel deal of 2017, there should still be sufficient competition in most passenger car segments from the likes of the VW Group, Renault, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda and Toyota.

Could The Ford Bronco And Mustang Morph Into Distinct Sub-Brands?

Posted on May 28, 2020Written by admin

A new report claims that Ford is considering turning the Bronco and Mustang into their own individual sub-brands.

Although the latest-generation Ford Bronco has yet to be released, it is claimed Ford could, down the road, make Bronco and Mustang their own sub-brands and launch several models under each brand. The new sub-brands could form part of the so-called ‘Ford Icons’ group.

“We have to leverage what we’re good at,” a source recently told Autoweek. “What are we good at? Mustangs and trucks. Mustang is a niche product with a great legacy. We need to expand on that legacy. More Broncos is a no-brainer.”

2021 Ford Bronco photo renderings Copyright Carscoops / Josh Byrnes

The Ford Bronco will initially be unveiled in two- and four-door guises and then joined by the smaller Bronco Sport, which itself may spawn a new pickup truck. EV and hybrid variants of both can also be expected at some stage in the future, as can electrified versions of the Mustang, the unnamed source added.

“Who knows what the timeframe is in this COVID atmosphere we’re in but yeah, we’re looking at more EVs, hybrids, sedans, crossovers, coupe EVs, convertible EVs, rear-drive, all-wheel drive, you name it. There’s probably going to be a fistfight over a pickup called Mustang, though. The aim is for the Mustang-badged vehicles to be the more performance-oriented of the two sub-brands,” the source added.

While we would not be shocked in the slightest to see Ford make Bronco into its own sub-brand, it could run the risk of alienating enthusiasts if it spins-off the Mustang badge. That being said, it has already softened us up with the Ford Mustang Mach-E, a vehicle that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.

Aston Martin Replacing Andy Palmer As CEO With AMG’s Tobias Moers

Posted on May 25, 2020Written by admin

Andy Palmer is being dramatically sacked as the chief executive of Aston Martin as the British marque’s share price continues to fall.

An official announcement will be made on Tuesday as part of a serious shakeup at the automaker. The Guardian understands that Palmer will be replaced by the current chief executive of Mercedes-AMG, Tobias Moers.

Palmer has served as the head of Aston Martin since 2014 having previously had a long tenure at Nissan and Infiniti. He has been instrumental in the launch of the DBX SUV as well as Aston Martin’s forthcoming fleet of mid-engined supercars and hypercar, the Valkyrie, Valhalla, and Vanquish.

Despite this work, Aston Martin’s shares have collapsed since its October 2018 public listing and seen the company’s market valuation fall from more than £4 billion ($4.87 billion) to £562 million ($684 million) on Friday.

Aston Martin announced earlier this month that its losses had ballooned to £119 million ($144 million) in the first three months of the year in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The company sold just 578 cars to dealerships in the first quarter, a 45 per cent drop from the same period in 2019.

In a statement issued on Sunday, an Aston Martin spokesman confirmed the company “is reviewing its management team and a further announcement will be made as and when appropriate.”

As for Moers, he has been the head of Mercedes-AMG since late 2013 and overseen the diversification of the performance brand’s product portfolio and the launch of its F1-powered Mercedes-AMG One hybrid hypercar.

AutoOneAutomotive.com – The Auto Care Specialists

Tag Archives: MimboloveReports

Feds Open Investigation On Tesla Model S Touchscreen Failures

FCA, PSA Fail To Offer Early Concessions, Will Likely Face Longer EU Antitrust Probe

Could The Ford Bronco And Mustang Morph Into Distinct Sub-Brands?

Aston Martin Replacing Andy Palmer As CEO With AMG’s Tobias Moers

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