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2014-15 Chevy Impala recalled over airbag fault

Over 5,700 current-generation Chevrolet Impala sedans are being recalled, General Motors announced today. The fullsize four-doors suffer from an issue with the front seats. According to a report from The Detroit News, a production problem during the seat steaming process could cause "a calibration error in the electronic control module." In turn, that would cause an issue with the Automatic Occupant Sensing system. The AOS is a crucial element, as it looks at the weight on the front seat to determine whether the airbags should be armed or not. According to a bulletin from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a problem with the system could mean that the airbags deploy when they shouldn't, such as when there's a child or infant seat mounted in front. The problem is limited to 2014 and 2015 models that have both heated and vented front seats. Owners will be asked to report to dealers for a free recalibration and ECU reset. Scroll down for the official bulletin from NHTSA. Related Video: Report Receipt Date: JUL 24, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V465000 Component(s): AIR BAGS Manufacturer: General Motors LLC SUMMARY: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 15, 2013, to June 19, 2015, equipped with front vented-heated passenger seats. Accordingly, the Automatic Occupant Sensing (AOS) system may fail to suppress the front passenger air bag if a child seat is in the front passenger seat. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." CONSEQUENCE: If the front passenger air bag deploys with a child seat in the front passenger seat, it increases the risk of injury to the child. REMEDY: GM will notify owners, and dealers will correct the calibration-learning error by preconditioning the empty seat, and also resetting the ECU to a seat zero-value, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15400. 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.

2017 Chevy Bolt EV arrives in late 2016 with 200-mile range

For those keeping track, the production 2017 Chevy Bolt that was just revealed at CES in Las Vegas is, well, pretty much just what we were expecting. As promised, GM claims the EV crossover-ish hatch will have a 200-mile range, and be "affordable." While pricing hasn't been announced, we've posited in the past that "affordable" is code for around $30,000 after incentives. The Bolt will use a couple of features, both novel and expected, to enhance range. The EV is expected to use information on the owner's driving history, the weather outside, the terrain, and even the time of day to help manage and predict range. The nav system will optimize routes to conserve range, if needed, and show nearby charging stations. That should ease, if not eliminate, range anxiety. Another range-conserving feature is a low-draw Bluetooth system. Speaking of charging stations, there's no word so far about how long it'll take to recharge a Bolt, or the capacity of the battery pack. Inside, the large center-mounted MyLink screen measures a full 10.2 inches, and provides a display for the wide-angle rear camera with a birds-eye view capability. OnStar provides 4G LTE and a wifi hotspot to occupants, and the sorts of efficiency and driving habit apps you'd expect will be available. It seems like remote start and cabin preconditioning will be standard. Interestingly, the Bolt will feature "Gamification" features intended to promote efficient driving by pitting Bolt drivers against each other for green driving awards or rankings. Details on are sparse on this feature, but then again, information on the Bolt in general is a little sparse right now. If you want to know things like detailed specs, the specifics of chassis componentry, or even trims and options, you'll have to wait. Check out our first quick spin of a prototype Bolt in Las Vegas for a preview of what GM's EV is like on the road. Chevrolet Introduces 2017 Bolt EV First long-range, affordable EV with customer-focused connectivity LAS VEGAS – Chevrolet is introducing the 2017 Bolt EV at the Consumer Electronics Show, fulfilling its promise to offer a long-range, affordable electric vehicle for the masses. The Bolt EV, which will go into production by the end of 2016, will offer more than 200 miles of range on a full charge. It also features advanced connectivity technologies designed to enhance and personalize the driving experience.

GM to trim Russian output, raise prices amid currency woes

General Motors is shutting down its factory in Russia's second largest city, St. Petersburg, from the middle of March until the middle of May as the country's currency, the ruble, continues to give economists fits. The ruble's value has plunged due not only to western sanctions, but a precipitous fall in oil prices. We knew these factors were already impacting the auto industry there, as Ford reported in its 2014 earnings statement, and now they're forcing GM to cut production at the factory, shown above, that is responsible for production of the Chevrolet Cruze and Opel Astra. Meanwhile, Automotive News is citing Russian outlet Kommersant as saying that GM has hiked its prices in the country by an average of 20 percent over the past two months. While a GM spokesman confirmed the St. Petersburg plant would be shut down for the two-month span reported by Kommersant and AN, he would not confirm the price increase. News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Alexander Nikolayev / AFP / Getty Images Earnings/Financials Plants/Manufacturing Chevrolet GM Opel opel astra