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Jeep first American carmaker to return to Tokyo show

Despite foreign-brand car sales in Japan declining six percent in the first four months of this year, Jeep sales are up 21 percent in the same period. That could explain why Jeep will be the first the US manufacturer to return to the Tokyo Motor Show after eight years away. Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler walked away during the global crisis that struck after the 2007 show. Jeep will be part of an eight-vehicle, four-brand showcase overseen by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Japan, the local subsidiary. For the moment, it is the only US brand to sign up - neither Ford, GM, or even Chrysler are committed to attend. Stablemates Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Abarth will be there, along with 13 other foreign makes, answering the "Technology & Fantasy" theme for this year's event. In total, organizers announced 15 brands from 14 Japanese manufacturers, and 27 brands from 17 foreign carmakers. The show opens to the public from Oct. 30 to Nov. 8. Related Video:

Germany threatens to ban FCA vehicles over diesel emissions dispute

Germany is threatening to ban sales of FCA products over diesel emissions. According to the newspaper Bild Am Sonntag, Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority found evidence of a so-called defeat device that shuts down certain emissions controls after running for 22 minutes. A standard diesel emissions test in the European Union reportedly takes 20 minutes to complete. FCA denies the allegations. "We believe all our vehicles respect EU emissions standards and we believe Italian regulators are the competent authority to evaluate this," the company said in a statement. The latter part of that statement drew ire from German authorities, especially after FCA declined to meet with German transport minister Alexander Dobrindt to discuss the issue. Graziano Delrio, the Italian Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, vowed to work with German authorities on behalf of FCA. According to EU law, FCA is required to homologate its vehicles in Italy because that's where its regional operations are based. When will the diesel-scented soap opera end? We wish we knew, but our Magic 8 Ball is covered in soot. Related Video: News Source: Financial TimesImage Credit: Giuseppe Aresu/Bloomberg via Getty Government/Legal Green Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep RAM Emissions Diesel Vehicles FCA

Chrysler recalling 31k SUVs and vans

Chrysler is issuing recalls covering roughly 31,700 vehicles worldwide due to two separate problems. In both cases the company believes that most of the affected vehicles are either still on, or in transit to, dealer lots.
One recall covers roughly 10,700 Dodge Durango, Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee SRT models from the 2014 model year built between January 16 and April 17, 2014. The SUVs need a software update for the cruise control. It's possible that when the cruise is on and the driver presses on the throttle, the acceleration could last a second after the pedal is released or two seconds for the SRT. Afterward, they return to the speed originally set by the driver.
Chrysler says it isn't aware of any accidents, injuries or even reported incidents of this happening in the real world. Also, in all cases, if the driver presses on the brake, the cruise shuts off. The automaker believes that there are about 6,100 affected SUVs in the US, 950 in Canada, 425 in Mexico and 3,200 outside of North America. The software upgrade will be ready shortly, the company says.