2002 - Ford F-150 on 2040-cars

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FBI Seizes Computers, Listening Devices From Ford Headquarters

FBI agents searched Ford Motor Company's headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, this month as part of an investigation into possible corporate espionage. Eight devices, along with documents, computers and financial records, were among the items seized by federal agents on July 11, according to documents obtained by The Detroit News. The FBI searched Leach's home on June 20 and seized more than two dozen items in that search, Reuters reported. Former engineer Sharon Leach, a 17-year Ford veteran of company, was fired last month, according to The News, which first reported the story. She admitted to placing recording devices under conference tables before meetings. She told Ford security she used the recordings to assist in her meeting notes. She couldn't remove the devices after meetings without drawing attention to herself, leaving the devices to record other meetings. Leach has not been charged for any wrongdoing. Former federal prosecutor and Wayne State University law professor Peter Henning told The News that using a search warrant, rather than a subpoena, shows the FBI suspects more employees could be implicated. "If it's an economic espionage case or trade-secrets case, that rarely involves one individual," Henning told The Detroit News. "So the concern is if you send a subpoena and ask for recording devices, those things can be erased." Leach, Ford and the FBI declined to comment on the investigation. Related Gallery AOL Autos Test Drive: 2014 Ford Fiesta ST Auto News Ford espionage corporate

Recharge Wrap-up: 1st Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell in Bay Area, Nikola Tesla rally

Enthusiasts in Croatia are celebrating Nikola Tesla with an EV rally. This June, drivers of a wide variety of electric cars will take part in the 2016 Nikola Tesla EV Rally Croatia. The rally takes place over 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) from June 1 to June 5, 2016. It is being billed as "the quietest and most beautiful rally ever." Nikola Tesla would have turned 160 on July 10 of 2016. Check out the invitation video above, and read more at the rally website or on Facebook. Mexico is fining Ford $1.05 million for selling vehicles without proper environmental certifications. Mexico's Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) says that the automaker sold some 4,690 vehicles without required compliance certificates related to emissions and noise level regulations. The offending vehicles include 2015 and 2016 models from both Ford and Lincoln. Read more from Automotive News. Hyundai has sold its first Tucson Fuel Cell in Northern California. The hydrogen powered crossover was sold by Capitol Hyundai of San Jose. "Capitol Hyundai is excited to be a qualified dealer for Hyundai's zero-emissions Tucson Fuel Cell hydrogen electric vehicle," says Capitol Hyundai owner Shaun Del Grande. "Our location in the Bay Area region is Hyundai's first in Northern California, making it more convenient for local residents to conveniently acquire their new Tucson Fuel Cell CUV, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions where they work and live." Tucson Fuel Cell drivers have accumulated over 1 million emissions-free miles in California since the car went on sale in 2014, preventing over 400 tons of CO2 emissions. Read more in the press release below. CAPITOL HYUNDAI OF SAN JOSE CELEBRATES FIRST FUEL CELL CUSTOMER DELIVERY IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA First Hyundai Fuel Cell Dealer in Northern California Proudly Delivers its First Fuel Cell amidst a Rapidly Growing Bay Area Hydrogen Infrastructure SAN JOSE, Calif., May 2, 2016 – Capitol Hyundai of San Jose, California, a proud member of the Del Grande Dealer Group, delivered the first zero-emissions Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell hydrogen electric vehicle in the Northern California region today. Capitol Hyundai is the fifth qualified dealer for Hyundai's Tucson Fuel Cell, and the first Hyundai fuel cell dealer in Northern California. Hyundai was the first manufacturer in the U.S. to offer consumers the opportunity to lease a mass-produced fuel cell vehicle, the zero-emissions Tucson Fuel Cell CUV.

Ford recalls 600,000 older-model sedans for braking issue

Ford is recalling 600,166 older-model Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles over an issue that could affect braking and increase the risk of a crash. The safety recall covers certain Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ sedans from the 2006 through 2010 model years that were built at Ford’s Hermosillo Assembly Plant in Mexico between Feb. 22, 2006, and July 15, 2009. Ford says a valve that is normally closed inside the hydraulic control unit may get stuck in the open position or be slow to close, which could make it harder to engage the brakes and increase risk of a crash. Ford says itÂ’s aware of 15 reports of accidents and two injuries possibly related to the issue. Dealers will inspect the hydraulic control unit for signs of the problem and replace it, if necessary. The dealers will pressure-flush the system with brake fluid and replace the reservoir cap with a new one. Ford is also issuing a small recall of 33 of its 2020 F-150 trucks in the U.S. and 51 in Canada over potentially damaged spare tires. It says the bead area on the tires may have been damaged when it was mounted onto the wheel assembly, leaving it vulnerable to corrosion, separation of the bead wire and ultimately a rapid loss of air pressure and detachment from the wheel. Dealers will replace the spare tire. Affected vehicles were built at the Dearborn Truck Plant from Nov. 10-21 of this year.