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VW recalls 25k Jettas over low-beam headlight issue

Volkswagen has discovered an issue with the headlamps on its latest Jetta and is issuing a recall notice in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to correct the issue. The problem revolves around the headlight control module, which has been found in certain instances to switch off the low-beam headlights when the high beams are turned on. Needless to say, that could result in insufficient illumination in the dark, so VW is moving to update the module's software. The issue only affects the new 2015 Jetta – specifically those manufactured between July 11, 2014 (which just happens to be this writer's birthday, thank you very much) and November 13, 2014. All in all, the Volkswagen Group of America estimates that encompasses 25,007 units in the United States, the owners of which can expect to hear from their dealers in the new year. RECALL Subject : Insufficient Headlight Output Report Receipt Date: DEC 15, 2014 NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V790000 Component(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING Potential Number of Units Affected: 25,007 All Products Associated with this Recall close VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2015 Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. SUMMARY: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured July 11, 2014, to November 13, 2014. Due to incorrect software within the headlight control module, the low beam headlights may turn off when high beam lights are turned on. As a result, the light output from the headlights may be insufficient. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108. "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." CONSEQUENCE: Insufficient headlight output may increase the risk of a crash. REMEDY: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the headlight control module software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 57F6. 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.

Recharge Wrap-up: unofficial Tesla ad, VW will produce Budd-e

An unofficial Tesla commercial pays homage to the automaker's namesake. The video, which shows the Model S driving through a dusty, petroleum-addicted landscape reminiscent of a Mad Max film, features words from a speech by electricity-obsessed inventor Nikola Tesla. While Tesla (the man) talks about advancing technology into the future through electricity, the cars surroundings switch from the barren oil village to a green countryside dotted with wind turbines. See the video above, and read more at Treehugger. Famous rapper Akon is a Tesla fan who wants to power Africa with solar energy. Akon, who once boasted a collection of 28 exotic cars, traded them in for four Teslas, including a Model X. Also, his organization Akon Lighting Africa provides free solar electricity and lighting to communities that need it. Clean Technica talked to Akon about solar power, Tesla and EVs in a video. See the video and read more at Clean Technica, and get more perspective from Teslarati. The Volkswagen BUDD-e EV may be moving to production. The electric vehicle, built on the MEB modular platform with looks borrowed from the Microbus, made its debut as a concept vehicle at CES this year. Volkwagen's Dr. Volkmar Tanneberger tells Car magazine, "You will see a car that looks a lot like this, on the MEB platform, reach production. I can't say exactly when, but 2020 or thereabouts." He also says that the California camper van and Transporter van will continue production with internal combustion engines. Read more from Car. The 2017 Kia Soul EV will have more range. While it is scheduled for some minor updates, upping the electric Soul's driving range from its current EPA rating of 93 miles will hopefully attract more customers than a simple facelift. Autocar spied the next Soul EV testing in some heavy camouflage, but it offered no other details about the range beyond its reported expansion. Read more from Plugin Cars.

Last VW bus ever made arrives at final destination

A Brazilian politician tried to save it, unsuccessfully, so the final Last Edition Volkswagen Type 2 Kombi was produced on December 20, 2013 and now resides in a vintage museum at Volkswagen's Commercial Vehicles HQ in Hanover, Germany.
The Volkswagen Microbus was built for 56 years, starting in September 1957. Brazil was the last country still assembling it, but new safety regulations in the country requiring airbags and ABS on all cars spelled the end. When that politician introduced a bill that would pardon only the 'Bus from a death sentence, it couldn't garner the required number of votes for passage. The South American country takes the Kombi production title, though, with 1.5 million of the 3.5 million total made in the home of Copacabana beach and the girl from Ipanema.
The VW Bus is dead. Now perhaps we can turn our attentions to the still-not-totally-settled matter of the Bulli...