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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

2015 Ram ProMaster recalled for ignition switch issue

The Basics: Ram is recalling a total of 18,121 examples of the 2015 ProMaster with production dates between October 1, 2014, and June 17, 2015. These include 16,114 of them in the US, 1,498 in Canada, 503 in Mexico, and 6 outside the NAFTA region. The Problem: The ignition switch can intermittently lose electrical contact, and this can potentially cause the vans to stall. If the problem occurs, the vehicles might also lose functionality of the airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and instruments. Injuries/Deaths: None reported. The Fix: Dealers will replace the ignition-switch contact holder. If You Own One: FCA filed the recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on November 25, and it has 60 days to notify owners about the campaign under federal rules. Until the repair, the company says that turning the ignition off and then back on can fix this problem if the switch loses contact. RECALL Subject : Intermittent Loss of Ignition Switch Contact Report Receipt Date: NOV 25, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V799000 Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Potential Number of Units Affected: 16,114 All Products Associated with this Recall Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) RAM PROMASTER 2015 Details Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) SUMMARY: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ram ProMaster vans manufactured October 1, 2014, to June 17, 2015. The affected vehicles have an ignition switch that may experience an intermittent loss of electrical contact. CONSEQUENCE: An intermittent loss of contact can result in a vehicle stall and/or a partial or complete loss of the air bags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control and/or instrument panel cluster. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash. REMEDY: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch contact holder block, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R64. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. Statement: Ignition Contacts November 27, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is voluntarily recalling an estimated 16,114 full-size vans in the U.S.

2023 CES Editors' Picks

Over the past few years, it has become more and more clear that the Consumer Electronics Show is a car show. And this year that reality is more clear than ever. Not only did established automakers show off seriously important vehicles, but a traditional electronics company brought a car that gives an idea of its intents (with the help of establishment car company). With so many car reveals, we had to rank our favorites. Our picks for this show are entirely electric. Or at least, they are on paper, since many are concepts. Considering the name of the show, it would be a little strange if they weren't. In fact, not only are many of our favorites concepts, they all are save for one. See how they shook out below. VW ID7 camo View 28 Photos 5. Volkswagen ID.7 "The ID.7 definitely got lost in the crowd at CES. That it was camouflaged definitely didn't help, even if that camo was electroluminescent (BMW trumped it big time with its color-changing Dee). Nevertheless, this is a close-to-production hatchback-ed sedan, not unlike today's Arteon, with an extra-long wheelbase courtesy its EV architecture. It should be a solid answer to the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6, and even if people obviously prefer SUVs now, VW says there is still a market for sedans. I know I'd probably prefer one." –Senior Editor, West Coast and Reviews, James Riswick Peugeot Inception concept View 12 Photos 4. Peugeot Inception "It's not often that show debuts surprise us. While Peugeot teased the Inception ahead of CES, its unveiling seemed almost incidental. But just look at this thing; it's like an electric French Mustang with someplace important to be. I don't buy into the stupid 'It's not a wheel!' thing that Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson described as providing a video-game-like drive experience, but that bit of silliness aside, this is a really promising design study. Give us more of these and fewer tall boxes, please." –Associate Editor Byron Hurd Afeela prototype from Sony Honda Mobility View 11 Photos 3. Afeela by Sony Honda “Ever since Sony showed off an impressively put-together concept car at CES a few years ago, IÂ’ve been anticipating the companyÂ’s next move. Apparently, that next move is “Afeela.” No, I donÂ’t love the name. The specs from SonyÂ’s original concept car give me hope that this prototype sportback (itÂ’s a hatchback!) will be fun to drive, though.