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VW promises 7-seat CUV for America in 2016

On the eve of the Detroit Auto Show, Volkswagen chief executive Martin Winterkorn has confirmed the imminent arrival of a new crossover. The model, previewed at the same show last year by the CrossBlue concept pictured here, will be unique to the North American market when it arrives here in 2016. The new three-row, seven-seat crossover is part of an ambitious expansion plan on the part of Volkswagen and Audi in North America, where the two brands aim to sell a million vehicles by 2018.
That's a mighty big increase over the 600,000 vehicles which the Volkswagen Group sold here last year, but it's moving in the right direction: That number is already a 100-percent increase of what it sold here just five years ago. At that rate, VW should have little trouble meeting its goals, particularly with the arrival of the new crossover and the introduction of Golf production at its assembly plant in Puebla, Mexico. Read the full statement below for more.

Chrysler recalls 112k family-haulers over airbag controllers

The Basics: Chrysler has issued a recall for an array of minivans and crossovers manufactured in 2007 and 2008. The models affected include the 2009 Dodge Journey, 2008-09 Dodge Grand Caravan, and 2008-09 Chrysler Town and Country. The 2009 Volkswagen Routan, which was manufactured by Chrysler, is also being recalled by FCA. The automaker estimates that 112,001 units in the United States are affected, all told. The Problem: Corrosion in the air bag control unit could prevent the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash, or alternatively deploy prematurely. Chrysler points out that "none of the affected vehicles are equipped with ammonium-nitrate inflators" like those fitted by Takata. Injuries/Deaths: The manufacturer reports seven minor injuries (but no accidents) potentially related to this issue. The fix: Chrysler will replace the air bag control unit, though it has not yet outlined a timeframe for doing so. If you own one: Look for a recall notice in the mail and then schedule service with your local dealership. If you don't receive one, you can contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 and reference recall number S07. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Air Bag Control Unit Power Supply Corrosion Report Receipt Date: JAN 29, 2016 NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V047000 Component(s): AIR BAGS Potential Number of Units Affected: 112,001 Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) SUMMARY: FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured December 31, 2007, to August 31, 2008, 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured June 18, 2007, to August 31, 2008, and 2009 Volkswagen Routan vehicles manufactured August 11, 2008, to August 31, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail. CONSEQUENCE: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash. REMEDY: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, 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 S07. 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.

Will a Phaeton EV rise from the VW Dieselgate ashes?

The Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal isn't even close to ending, but in a new announcement the automaker says it is working to rehabilitate its battered image a little bit. In a series of pledges, the German company is putting a serious emphasis on future electrification. Headlining this EV onslaught: the next-gen Phaeton will be fully battery powered. VW is still very light on details about its future flagship, and Tesla shouldn't be shaking in its boots yet. The automaker simply promises "a pure electric drive with long-distance capability, connectivity and next-generation assistance systems as well as an emotional design." According to insiders speaking to Autocar, the Phaeton potentially launches in 2020, and it might share a platform and powertrain with the production version of the Audi E-Tron Quattro concept. A new Phaeton was rumored to be nearly ready earlier this year, but the project was reportedly scrapped to cut costs. VW loses money making the current one, and sedan competes against other products, like the Audi A8. Perhaps the company sees this scandal as a perfect opportunity to revaluate the point of the vehicle. While the Phaeton EV will represent the top of VW's future lineup, electrification will appear further down the line, as well. The automaker will create a new platform called the MEB specifically for compact EVs. Promising ranges between 155 and 311 miles, the architecture will be offered across the VW Group brands and on "both passenger cars and light commercial vehicles." This electrification push will likely affect current models, too, thanks to further engineering of the MQB platform. VW wants the vehicles to support longer-range plug-in hybrids, mild hybrids, and EVs with 186 miles of distance. Since the architecture is already on sale, presumably these are the first vehicles to benefit from the new strategy. VOLKSWAGEN BRAND BOARD OF MANAGEMENT TAKES STRATEGIC DECISIONS Accelerated implementation of the efficiency program creates room for reorientation Streamlined processes leverage further cost-saving potential, including cuts in fixed costs Investments to be reduced by 1 billion euros per year compared with planning – combined with prioritization of projects for the future Product decisions formulated New Phaeton will be electric New Modular Electric Toolkit planned Wolfsburg,October 13, 2015 – The newly-formed Volkswagen Brand Board of Management took further strategic decisions at a special meeting. CEO Dr.