Auto Events

DETROIT - Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 10,000 redesigned 2013 Escape SUVs to fix carpet padding that could get in the way of braking.

The recall affects about 2,000 vehicles in Canada.

Ford says that wrongly positioned carpet padding could reduce space around the pedals and cause drivers to hit the side of the brake pedal when switching from the accelerator.

The auto maker told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that dealers will remove the carpet padding and replace a console trim panel at no charge.

Ford said the recall covered 8,266 vehicles in the U.S. Ford spokeswoman Marcey Zwiebel said it also affected a couple of hundred vehicles in Mexico.

Zwiebel said Ford had not received any reports of accidents or injuries related to the problem, which she said was discovered "through internal evaluations."

The vehicles were built between March 8 and June 7 at Ford's assembly plant in Louisville, Kentucky.

The recall is expected to begin July 23. Owners may call the automaker at 866-436-7332.

Ford sold 28,500 Escapes last month, up 28 per cent from June 2011.

TORONTO,ON – Racing fans, the Ontario Honda Dealers Association (OHDA) and Honda Canada Inc. raised more than $35,000 for Make-A-Wish Canada this past weekend at the Honda Indy Toronto. This brings the fundraising total to $235,000 for Make-A-Wish from the past three years of racing. 

“Make-A-Wish is truly thankful to have Honda Canada and its dealers support our commitment to give hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions through the granting of magical wishes,” said Jennifer Ritter, CEO, Make-A-Wish Canada. “Events like the Honda Indy Toronto help us generate the awareness and funds we need to fulfill our mission.”

The highlight of the fundraising activities at this year’s Honda Indy Toronto was the OHDA’s third annual “Free Friday”. On Friday, fans were encouraged to donate to Make-A-Wish in lieu of paying for admission, which was covered by the OHDA. Throughout the day, fans had access to Ferrari, Firestone Indy Lights, and IZOD INDYCAR Series practice and qualifying sessions. Amidst all the on-track excitement, fans of all ages enjoyed various games and activities in and around Honda World.

“We are thrilled that the third Free Friday event was such a success,” said Kevin Pearson, president, Ontario Honda Dealers Association. “Thanks to all the race fans, old and new, who came out to not only enjoy a day at the Honda Indy, but to also support a great cause like Make-A-Wish.”

Although the Honda Indy might be over, fans looking to donate can text DREAM to 41010 to make a five dollar donation to Make-A-Wish. With support from organizations like Honda Canada and the OHDA, Make-A-Wish grants over 400 wishes a year through eight regional chapters across the country.

“Our company was founded on a belief in the power of dreams,” said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president, Honda Canada. “We’re happy to help make the dreams of Canadian children facing life-threatening illnesses come true by raising funds for Make-A-Wish.”

NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Hyundai Motor Co. has been sued for allegedly misleading consumers sensitive to high gas prices that its popular 2011 and 2012 Elantra model is more fuel efficient than it actually is.

The lawsuit filed by the public interest group Consumer Watchdog claims that TV advertisements touting "the 40 mile per gallon Elantra" reflected only highway mileage, not city or combined highway/city mileage.

It claimed that required disclosures of the estimated city mileage, 29 miles per gallon, appeared only briefly in "tiny, faint text" that viewers could not read without freezing their screens. Disclosures in magazine ads for the car were illegible or nonexistent, the complaint added.

The plaintiff, Louis Bird of Sacramento, Calif., claimed he would not have bought his 2011 Elantra but for Hyundai's advertising, and is paying more than he expected to refuel.

His lawsuit seeks class-action status and unspecified damages for alleged violations of California consumer protection and fraud laws. The lawsuit was filed on July 3 in a California state court in Sacramento.

Hyundai North America, in a statement, referred to tests by the government and three widely-read magazines that suggest the advertised fuel economy is realistic. The South Korean company did not specifically address allegations in the complaint that it should have made fuller disclosures in its advertising.

On May 9, a state judge in Los Angeles ruled in favor of Honda Motor Co. in reversing a $9,867 award to a Civic hybrid owner who accused the Japanese automaker of fraudulently overstating its fuel economy in its advertising.

Known for its sleek styling, the five-seat Elantra was the 19th best-selling car or truck in the United States from January to June, with 97,769 vehicle sales.

ROME - Italian carmaker Fiat says it is consolidating its ownership of Chrysler by exercising an option to purchase around 3.3 per cent of Chrysler equity from a trust fund that manages health care for pensioners.

The announcement Tuesday said the purchase in the coming weeks will raise Fiat's stake in Chrysler to 61.8 per cent,

VEBA, as the trust fund is called, is the only other entity with a stake in the company now that government loans to the Detroit automaker have been paid back.