For those of us willing to wade through online patent drawings, you can dig up some pretty cool stuff. An inflatable rug, for instance, or a high-five machine. And given the necessity for carmakers to secure their designs—there are enough accusations of plagiarism in the industry already—picking through ... Read more
Report: BMW Agrees to $3M Fine for Delaying Safety Recalls
German automaker BMW has agreed to pay a $3 million fine for delaying reports of safety defects and recalls to the US government. According to federal regulations, manufacturers are required to report known defects within five days. In an examination of 16 recalls provided by BMW North America in 2010, the ... Read more
Ford Recalls Expedition, Navigator For Improperly Made Headrests
Ford's 2012 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator are being recalled for their headrests, which weren't correctly welded from the factory and could break in an accident. Built from November to December 2011, these 2012 model year SUVs had head restraint brackets installed on the second row that could be weaker than expected. ... Read more
Nissan Recalls 36,608 Versa Sub-Compacts for Faulty Transmission
Nissan announced a recall this morning for 36,608 2012 Versa sub-compacts with an automatic transmission for "theft prevention" reasons. According to the recall, "due to interference between the shifter rod and the shift knob, the vehicles may be shifted out of the park position without depressing the brake pedal." As a ... Read more
Dude, Smoking Marijuana Can Double the Risk of a Car Accident
The next time you're down in your parents' basement listening to Dark Side of the Moon while passing around a joint, don't be quick to get back behind the wheel. Canadian researchers have found that driving within three hours of smoking weed can double your risk of a car accident. Led ... Read more
Revealed: Is this the 2013 Lexus RX?
Last week, we reported that Toyota had told dealers at NADA in Las Vegas that it would be releasing 19 new models across its Toyota, Scion, and Lexus brands in the next year. Specifically, we have driven the 2013 Lexus GS and Toyota Prius v and ... Read more
Chevy Trailblazer, Toyota Camry, RAV4 Door Fires Prompts NHTSA Investigation
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced it has opened an investigation on model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV and MY 2007 Toyota Camry sedan and RAV4 crossover. According to the federal agency, it has received twelve complaints from Chevrolet Trailblazer owners and six complaints from Toyota owners of fires ... Read more
Gas Is Getting Expensive, And We’re Not Helping
Anybody who has touched a wrench knows that if you can't get a bolt off, you force it off with an even bigger wrench. Americans want more fuel-efficient cars—at least, that's what the ads tell us we want, and that's what our parents and neighbors believe. Yet, we stubbornly won't stop ... Read more
Audi TT RS Plus Gives Euros Get Legit Porsche Boxster and Cayman Fighter
European Audi fans have cause to celebrate: The Audi TT RS Plus is on the way, and with more power than ever, to further separate the Audi roadster and convertible from the competition. American fans might be wondering why we don't have a "Plus" version, but the answer is simple: ... Read more
Hyundai Mulls Separate Genesis Luxury Brand
If BMW or Infiniti made the Genesis Coupe, would it be more appealing? The Hyundai Equus, Hyundai Genesis, and Hyundai Genesis Coupe are extremely good cars, but does the Hyundai name deter premium-car buyers? Are label-conscious buyers opting for mechanically similar cars with more cachet? This is the dilemma the ... Read more
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