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Chrysler, Nissan looking into claim that their cars are industry's most hackable

A pair of cyber security experts have awarded the ignominious title of most hackable vehicles on American roads to the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, 2014 Infiniti Q50 and 2015 Cadillac Escalade.
Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek are set to release a report at the Black Hat hacking conference in Las Vegas, Automotive News reports. The two men found the Jeep, Caddy and Q50 were easiest to hack based not on actual tests with the vehicles, but a detailed analysis of systems like Bluetooth and wireless internet access - basically, anything that'd allow a hacker to remotely gain access to the vehicle's systems.
Considering this lack of hands-on testing, the pair acknowledge that "most hackable" could be a relative term - they point out that the vehicles may actually be quite secure.

UK electric motor maker YASA expands production 50-fold for EVs

LONDON — British electric motor manufacturer YASA said on Thursday it was increasing its production capacity from 2,000 to 100,000 units with a new factory to tap into growing demand from carmakers for greener technologies. Automakers are racing to build greener vehicles and improve charge times in a bid to meet rising customer demand and air quality targets but Britain lacks sufficient manufacturing capacity, an area the government is building up. Last year, the government picked a site in central England to house a new automotive battery development facility, which will develop the processes required to manufacture the latest battery advancements. On Thursday, YASA, based near the English city of Oxford, said it had raised another 15 million pounds ($21 million) as part of its expansion. "Our customers are looking to adopt innovative new technologies such as YASA's axial-flux electric motors and controllers in order to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding hybrid and pure electric automotive market," said Chief Executive Chris Harris. The firm exports 80 percent of production and has worked with companies including Britain's two biggest carmakers Jaguar Land Rover and Nissan as well as Aston Martin. JLR will decide this year whether to build electric cars in its home market, previously citing factors such as pilot testing and support from science and government as pre-requisites. Reporting by Costas PitasRelated Video:

Common Nissan Maxima vs. Subaru Legacy breakdowns

The Nissan Maxima and Subaru Legacy are both popular sedans. Similarities can be seen in price, styling, and performance. What are some common repair problems seen in each model? When do they occur and how much do they cost to fix? What about how to pay for car repairs? Let's find out. Check Engine Light Both Maxima and Legacy owners dread the appearance of this little light. In the Nissan, it's most likely a failed ignition coil. This part transforms the car battery voltage into a higher voltage required for starting. This problem appears more often in Maximas with over 140,000 miles. The cost to replace the ignition coil runs around $400, parts and labor. The check engine light on the Subaru Legacy is more often due to a failed oxygen sensor. The O2 sensor measures the oxygen level in the exhaust and can affect fuel consumption. This part fails more frequently in models with over 110,000 miles. The repair costs around $200. Legacy Sound System Problems It's not uncommon for the Legacy to have sound system failures at 140,000 miles or more. The speakers might not work or only function intermittently. Hitting a bump might also cause the radio to shut off. Repair costs here can vary, but the typical charge is around $600. Nissan Check Engine Light Part 2 The Nissan check engine light also may appear due to oil leaking from the camshaft position sensor. Difficulty with stalling and acceleration might occur as well. The repair costs around $250 and is more frequent in models with over 104,000 miles. Big-Ticket Items Some repairs are especially costly. In Maximas with over 120,000 miles, the power steering pump may begin to malfunction. This produces a clunking or knocking sound when driving over uneven terrain. Steering might be affected with abnormal noises heard when turning the steering wheel. A Nissan Maxima power steering pump replacement costs around $1,250, parts and labor. Now, if you begin to feel your Legacy vibrating or shuddering at around 116,000 miles, it may be a transmission problem. It's more noticeable when the car shifts gears. Legacy transmission repair can be expensive, costing up to $2,000 or more. Even more costly is a Subaru Legacy head gasket failure, seen more often at 110,000 miles or more. AC malfunction, fluid leaks, and engine overheating can occur when the head gasket fails. The repair costs are around $3,000.