BRIEFS - Toyota recall
Published:Sunday | August 29, 2010 | 12:00 AM
- Toyota recall
NEW YORK (AP):
Toyota recalled 1.33 million Corolla sedans and Matrix hatchbacks in the US and Canada on Thursday because their engines may stall, the latest in a string of quality problems at the Japanese automaker.
The recall covers vehicles from the 2005-2008 model years sold in the US and Canada. Three accidents and one minor injury have been reported, though Toyota said a link to the engine issue has not been confirmed.
- Mazda, Ford rev up joint venture
TOKYO (AP):
Ford Motor Co and Mazda Motor Corp are investing US$350 million in their joint venture plant in Thailand to revamp production of pickup trucks, both sides said Thursday.
The investment at AutoAlliance Thailand, a 50-50 joint venture, underlines that four years of political upheaval has not yet deterred automakers from expanding their manufacturing in the Southeast Asian nation, which offers incentives such as tax breaks to foreign manufacturers.
Most auto plants are located in the eastern seaboard province of Rayong and haven't been directly affected by the unrest, which has centred on the capital Bangkok.
- Ford Fiesta earns Top Safety Pick
DEARBORN, Michigan:
The 2011 Ford Fiesta is the first mini-car to earn a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) since the introduction of a new roof strength test. The award applies to vehicles built after July 2010.
The Fiesta is the eighth Ford Motor Company vehicle to earn the Institute's top designation — breaking a tie with Toyota for the most 'Top Safety Picks' of any automaker.
Fiesta's extensive use of high-strength steels, Trinity front crash structure, Side Protection And Cabin Enhancement Architecture and advanced airbag technologies helped the car perform well in IIHS testing. Fiesta's energy-absorbing body structure is optimised for strength and stiffness and designed to absorb and redirect crash forces away from the passenger compartment. Plus, it features the most standard airbags in its segment, as well as standard electronic stability control - a must-have feature for Top Safety Pick eligibility.