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Weekly Recap: Toyota propels hydrogen fuel cells

Toyota is serious about hydrogen fuel cells, and it wants the auto industry to follow suit. The Japanese automaker said this week it's releasing 5,680 fuel cell patents from around the world, including technologies used on its upcoming sedan, the 2016 Mirai. The move is unusual, but not unprecedented, as Tesla similarly released its electric vehicle patents last year. The idea for Tesla, and now for Toyota, is to spur development of alternative propulsion. "By eliminating traditional corporate boundaries, we can speed the development of new technologies and move into the future of mobility more quickly, effectively and economically," said Bob Carter, Toyota Motor Sales senior vice president of automotive operations, in a statement. Toyota's fuel cell patents will be free to use through 2020, though patents related to producing and selling hydrogen will remain open forever. Toyota said it would like companies that use its patents to share their own hydrogen patents, but won't require it. "What Toyota's doing is really a logical move, and really a good move for the industry," Devin Lindsay, principal powertrain analyst with IHS Automotive, told Autoblog. The announcement was made at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It comes as Toyota prepares to launch the hydrogen-powered Mirai in a limited number late this year in California. The launch will be extended to the Northeastern United States next year. Toyota also has announced plans to support networks of fueling stations in each region to try to smooth consumer adoption. The Mirai has a 300-mile range on a tank of hydrogen, and it takes about five minutes to refill. Fuel cells have been receiving increased attention recently, and Audi and Volkswagen debuted hydrogen-powered cars at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. Honda, another proponent of the technology, also showed its updated FCV concept in November in Japan. The company, however, has delayed its fuel cell sedan a year until 2016. Like Toyota, Honda says its hydrogen-powered car will have a range of 300 miles or more. Meanwhile, Hyundai currently offers leases for fuel-cell powered Tucsons, which have a 265-mile range, in Southern California. Despite the optimism some automakers have for fuel cells, the technology still faces barriers. A lack of filling stations has long held it back, and many consumers are not familiar with the potential benefits.

Chrysler recalling 280k Dodge Ram 1500 pickups over axle seizures

Following a June investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will be recalling 280,000 Dodge Ram pickups from model year 2005. The issue, NHTSA told The Detroit News, centered on a loose pinion nut, which could cause the rear axle to seize and, potentially, the driveshaft to detach. The affected vehicles were built between January of 2004 and August of 2005, while of the 280,000 trucks, only 257,000 were sold in the US market. According to The News, the recall will begin on February 13, and will see owners report to dealerships to have "a retention feature" added to the pinion nut.

Dodge rolls out Shaker package for 2015 Challenger

Having an awesome Hemi engine under the hood can deliver impressive performance, but for those who lament not being able to see that big V8 engine doing its thing, hidden away under the hood, Dodge offers the Shaker hood on its Challenger muscle car. And it's just released the option for the updated 2015 model. Now available on two engines and three trim levels – including the Challenger R/T and R/T Plus with the 5.7-liter V8 and the 6.4-liter Challenger 392 – the new Shaker hood brings cold air into the engine compartment and lets everyone see that V8 (or at least an appendage thereof) shaking away in plain view. Arriving 45 years after the original Shaker Challenger, the package includes a satin black hood scoop, cold-air intake, conical air filter and optimized air box, along with Shaker graphics inside, out and under the hood. The 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Shaker and R/T Plus Shaker are available to order now, priced at $35,495 and $38,495, respectively (plus a $995 destination charge), and come bundled with the Super Track Pak. Order books open in March for the 392 HEMI Shaker, which also comes with the Scat Pack, for $42,495 (plus destination and $1,000 gas-guzzler tax if equipped with the manual transmission). Dodge is Shaking Up the Muscle Car Segment Again; Opens Orders for New 2015 Challenger 'Shaker' Models Dodge Celebrates 45 Years of Its Functional "Cold-air Grabbing" Hood Scoop That "Shakes" With the Legendary HEMI® V-8 Engine's Movement - Back by enthusiast demand, Dodge returns the "Shaker" to the Challenger lineup – now expanding the functional cold-air induction hood scoop on two HEMI V-8 engines and three performance-packed models - "King of the Shakers" – all-new 2015 Dodge Challenger 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker combines the ultimate combination of 485 best-in-class horsepower and legendary Dodge heritage cues with a functional Shaker hood - Dodge Challenger R/T Shaker and R/T Plus Shaker models feature the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with unique hood and intake design combined with a functional exposed-element cold-air intake system - New 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Shaker and R/T Plus Shaker are available for ordering now, with the 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker model available for customer orders in March February 13, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich.