Former High-Ranking Union Official Charged in Corruption Probe at Fiat Chrysler
A former vice president for the United Auto Workers union was charged Monday with allegedly receiving tens of thousands of dollars in illegal payments from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles executives, according to federal prosecutors, the latest in a widening probe into allegations of corruption in the union’s top ranks. The Wall Street Journal reports that Norwood Jewell is the highest-ranking UAW official to date to be charged in the federal investigation, which first became public in July 2017. Prosecutors have already charged several other union officials, as well as Fiat Chrysler executives, in the continuing probe, alleging they had used money from a union training-center fund to enrich themselves. Mr. Jewell, who led the UAW’s bargaining team with Fiat Chrysler in 2015 for a new four-year contract, was charged with allegedly violating the Labor Management Relations Act, according to court documents filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. Read more here.
Hyundai, Kia Face State Probe Over Vehicle Fires
A group of U.S. states is investigating Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. for potential unfair and deceptive acts related to reports of hundreds of vehicle fires, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said on Monday. Automotive News reports that the South Korean automakers have recalled more than 2.3 million vehicles since 2015 to address various engine fire risks in a series of recalls. In November, Reuters reported that federal prosecutors had launched a criminal investigation into Hyundai and Kia to determine if vehicle recalls linked to engine defects had been conducted properly. "We are aware of multiple fires involving Connecticut vehicles, including some allegedly already repaired through the recall process. This is a serious matter, and we are moving aggressively and responsibly to uncover the facts and to ensure accountability," Tong said in a statement. Hyundai said late Monday it is "fully cooperating with the government in this matter, and is committed to providing American motorists with safe, high quality, efficient, and affordable vehicles." The company added it "has made numerous improvements to our engine manufacturing, and has enhanced our customer service efforts to address every single impacted customer." Read more here.
Dealer's Online Walkarounds Bring in Customers
When Bob Swartz is shopping for hotel rooms, he likes having the option of taking virtual tours, where he can look around the room he's considering and see the view. That capability inspired him to try it on cars, too. So, reports Automotive News, Swartz enlisted SpinCar, a company with technology that allows dealerships to build virtual, 360-degree vehicle walkarounds to bolster their vehicle detail pages instead of relying on photos only. Swartz, CEO of Fenton Family Dealerships in East Swanzey, N.H., piloted the walkarounds at Toyota of Keene in East Swanzey several years ago before it was adopted by the group's other dealerships, which sell Honda, Hyundai, Subaru, and Volvo. A quick perusal of Fenton Family sites shows vehicle pages where consumers can get 360-degree views of exteriors and interiors, which include clickable icons on different areas to explain features and provide closer views. Read more here.
Edmunds Dealer Awards Highlight Customer Service
Finding the right dealership can make or break the car buying experience. So says Edmunds chief executive officer Avi Steinlauf. “Our latest Five Star Dealer list is a great starting point for shoppers on the hunt for a local dealer that shares our commitment to superior customer service and support, and we’re honored to support their willingness to go above and beyond for their customers,” Steinlauf said in a news release. Auto Remarketing reports that Edmunds has announced the winners of its 2019 Edmunds Five Star Dealer Awards, and they include 177 dealers nationwide with top customer satisfaction ratings. The awards are based on sales reviews from Edmunds car shoppers. An additional 14 of the highest-performing dealerships have earned Edmunds’ Five Star Premier Dealer designation. Five Star Premier dealers must have received at least 150 sales reviews on Edmunds in 2018. Edmunds Five Star and Edmunds Five Star Premier dealers must have earned an average customer sales review rating of at least 4.5 stars between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018 to qualify. Read more here.
U.S. Regulators Want Public's View on Cars with No Steering Wheel, Brakes
U.S. regulators will ask the public if robotic cars should be allowed on streets without steering wheels or brake pedals as they try to set the first legal boundaries for their design in the world’s second largest vehicle market, reports Reuters. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has delayed action for 15 months on General Motors Co.’s request to deploy a limited number vehicles on U.S. roads without steering wheels or other human controls such as a brake pedal. In GM’s petition, NHTSA will for the first time compare a vehicle in which all driving decisions are made by a computer versus a human driver. NHTSA called it “an important case of first impression,” presenting “novel and important issues.” NHTSA said it will accept public comments for at least 60 days. Read more here.
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Around the Web
Karma Teases 2020 Revero [Autoblog]
Japan is Betting on the Future of Hydrogen Cars [NPR]
Top Gear's 9 Cars Back from the Dead [Top Gear]
Billionaire Porsche Family Wants to Buy Even More Shares of VW [Bloomberg]
