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NA auto output to reach 11-year peak

According to Automotive News, automakers are expected to manufacture 16 million light vehicles in North America in 2013. That's up 500,000 units from last year and marks the largest number since 2002. The prediction comes courtesy of LMC Automotive and IHS Automotive, which point to the improving US economy as a bellwether for total production. LMC Automotive says North America will produce 16 million vehicles while IHS has a slightly more optimistic forecast of 16.1 million units. A total of seven automakers are slated to increase production on the continent this year. Nissan is set to see the largest jump at 20 percent over last year.
Volkswagen, meanwhile, is one of the only manufacturers predicted to scale back production. Analysts expect the German company's output to fall by 23 percent to 170,000 units, thanks in part to slow demand for the Volkswagen Passat and Jetta.

VW recalls 420,000 vehicles for driver's airbag failure

Volkswagen is issuing a recall for 420,000 vehicles in the US because of a potential failure of the driver's side airbag. The campaign affects German-made examples of the 2010 Passat; the 2010-2013 Eos and Jetta; the 2010-2014 CC, Tiguan, and US-produced units of the Passat; the 2011-2013 Jetta SportWagen; and the 2011-2014 Golf and GTI. There are no reports of accidents or injuries related to this issue. Specifically, this problem comes because the steering wheel clock spring can be contaminated by debris, which moves the part's guide loops out of position. This can cause a tear in the electrical cable that controls the driver's airbag. If this happens, a warning light would illuminate, but the safety device would not deploy in a crash. VW is still identifying all of the affected VINs and developing a fix. The company plans to notify owners once everything is known. Related Video: VOLKSWAGEN ISSUES VOLUNTARY RECALL Aug 14, 2015 Herndon, VA - Volkswagen considers the safety and satisfaction of its consumers and passengers a top priority. As such, Volkswagen of America today notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will be issuing a voluntary safety recall affecting the steering wheel clock spring on approximately 420,000 Volkswagen vehicles in the U.S. Certain 2010-2014 Model Year Volkswagen CC Certain 2010-2013 Model Year Volkswagen Eos Certain 2011-2014 Model Year Volkswagen Golf/GTI Certain 2010-2013 Model Year Volkswagen Jetta Certain 2011-2013 Model Year Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen Certain 2010 Model Year Volkswagen Passat (German Production) Certain 2010-2014 Model Year Volkswagen Passat (U.S. Production) Certain 2010-2014 Model Year Volkswagen Tiguan On certain vehicles, the steering wheel clock spring could become contaminated with long hair or long fibers which may cause a displacement of the internal guide loops. When the guide loops are dragged out of position, they may apply tension to the internal flat cable and cause it to tear. Should the cable tear, the electrical connection to the driver's front airbag may be lost, causing the airbag monitoring indicator light to illuminate. In a crash that warrants a driver front airbag deployment, the airbag will not deploy, leading to a risk of driver injury.

Goodbye, Shelby GT350; hello, new Honda Ridgeline and Subaru BRZ | Autoblog Podcast #648

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Road Test Editor Zac Palmer. This week's news includes Subaru teasing the next-generation Subaru BRZ, the Jaguar XE departing and the XF getting an update, Honda unveiling the new Ridgeline pickup and the Acura NSX suffering from slow sales. This week they talk about driving two vehicles on opposite ends of the spectrum: the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 and the Volkswagen Atlas. Autoblog Podcast #648 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Subaru previews next-generation BRZ, announces fall 2020 unveiling date Jaguar XE axed from U.S. market: And then there was one sedan 2021 Jaguar XF gets new interior, down to four-cylinder engines and sedan body style 2021 Honda Ridgeline debuts, and it finally looks like a truck Acura NSX sales lagging Cars we're driving: 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 Heritage Edition 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: