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NHTSA investigating 8 million airbags not made by Takata

In a shocking turn of events, we have a line of airbags under investigation that weren't made by Takata. Rather, Automotive News reports that 8,000,000 airbags made by ARC Automotive Inc. are under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to Automotive News, NHTSA is looking into ARC's airbags after two injuries and a recent death were attributed to the company's products. The two injuries occurred first and prompted the initial inquiry of 490,000 airbags, which then expanded after an airbag from a different line caused the death of a Canadian driver. The airbags in question are found in GM, FCA, Hyundai and Kia products, and all automakers are cooperating with the investigation, Automotive News reports. It is also important to note that these airbags have not been recalled, as NHTSA is trying to determine the issue and whether a recall is necessary. NHTSA also told the news outlet that the ARC inflators use a different design than those from Takata, instead using some pressurized gas and an ammonium nitrate charge. While the design may be different, the Takata inflators also used ammonium nitrate propellant, which other manufacturers have avoided. We will be watching this situation closely to see what develops. Here's hoping – for our collective safety and sanity – that we won't have to go through another airbag crisis like with the Takata recall. Related Video: News Source: Automotive NewsImage Credit: Shutterstock Government/Legal Hyundai Kia Safety FCA airbag fiat chrysler automobiles

Hyundai outlines EV strategy as it struggles with cost of engine defects

SEOUL — South Korea's Hyundai Motor pledged to boost sales of electric vehicles to over half a million by 2025 as part of a bid to focus on new technologies and catch up with rivals, but some analysts saw the target as conservative and warned of the costs. The announcement by Hyundai, the world's fifth largest car maker along with affiliate Kia Motors, underscores the accelerating strategy shift under Euisun Chung, who became the motor group's executive vice chairman last year. Hyundai announced a $35 billion investment last week in mobility and other auto technologies by 2025, less than a month after unveiling a $1.6 billion deal to develop self-driving vehicle technologies with Aptiv. The firm said on Thursday it plans to launch 16 EV models by 2025 to boost sales of such vehicles 17-fold to 560,000 by that year. Still, that would be equivalent to just over 10% of its projected global sales this year. The projection compares with more bullish forecasts offered by its bigger rivals. Volkswagen AG expects to make 22 million EVs over the next decade, while General Motors aims to sell 1 million EVs annually by 2026. "That is not an ambitious target. If Hyundai fails to boost volumes fast enough, costs of electric cars will weigh on profitability," Lee Jae-il, an analyst at Eugene Securities & Investment. Hyundai said that the EV market would face intensifying competition and oversupply soon and automakers failing to meet toughening European emissions regulations will face heavy penalties and suffer a serious blow to their reputation. "EV supply is expected to surpass demand from the second half of next year," Ka Suk-hyun, vice president of Hyundai Motor, told an earnings conference call. Quality issues Hyundai's third-quarter net profit rose 59% to 427 billion won ($365 million), well below the average 684 billion profit estimate of analysts based on Refinitiv data, due to 600 billion won provisions it earmarked to address potential engine defects in the United States and South Korea. Quality issues have been a major drag in Hyundai's attempt to steer a recovery from six consecutive annual profit declines and constrained its financial firepower to invest in future technologies. It is still under investigation by U.S regulators and prosecutors over potential faulty engines in some models. Total retail sales fell 3% in the third quarter, as higher U.S.

Hyundai announces upcoming Creta sub-compact crossover

The market for subcompact SUVs is booming, and the next automaker to get in on the action will be Hyundai. The Korean automaker has not only announced the imminent arrival of its first subcompact crossover, but has given it a name, as well. Like some of its other crossovers, Hyundai's forthcoming baby high-rider takes its name from a geographical place – but unlike the Tucson and Santa Fe, the discontinued Veracruz, or the conceptual Santa Cruz, that place isn't in North America. The name Creta is derived from the Greek isle of Crete, and is meant to evoke the notion of creativity, says Hyundai. (The marketing team is evidently hoping people don't associate it with the term "cretin" in the process.) The model is slated to launch in India sometime in the second half of this year, but whether it makes its little way to US showrooms remains to be seen. Wherever it is sold, however, the Hyundai Creta will ostensibly take on the likes of the Chevy Trax, Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, Mazda CX-3, Nissan Juke and Honda HR-V/Vezel in this burgeoning segment. Hyundai Motor Reveals Name Of New Global Sub-compact SUV: 'Creta' - Creta is the first sub-compact SUV model to be developed by Hyundai Motor - Global launch will start in India, in second half of 2015 June 2, 2015 - Hyundai Motor Company has today announced the name of its first sub-compact SUV: 'Creta'. The global roll-out of this all-new model will start in the second half of 2015 in India. The name 'Creta' derives primarily from the name for Crete, the largest of the Greek islands. Situated in the Mediterranean Sea, Crete was the focal point for Greece's global prowess in trade and culture, in its heyday connecting Europe, Asia and Africa. Creta will be an influential global model for the Hyundai Motor brand in one of the fastest-growing vehicle segments, helping the company to reach out to many more consumers in new and established international markets. Consistent with the core concepts underpinning Hyundai Motor's Modern Premium brand direction – SIMPLE, CREATIVE, CARING – the 'Creta' name is simple and easy to remember. Pronunciation of Creta deliberately evokes welcome similarities with the term 'creative', and draws on positive associations with the Mediterranean island of Crete, which is famed for combining a relaxed and tranquil environment with a vibrant, energetic approach to outdoor activities.