Latest news with #automaker
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ford's recall problem keeps getting worse—and this one could start fires
Ford is setting records in 2025, but not in a good way. The automaker has already blown by the previous record for having the most safety recalls in a calendar year, and now another major round of recalls is calling the brand's reliability into question. This new tax deduction in Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' lets people cash in on charitable donations up to $2,000. Here's what to know The Platinum Card is about to change. Amex's new fast-format airport lounge might be a sneak preview Southwest Florida's housing market is undergoing a material home price correction—here's why Switch Auto Insurance and Save Today! Affordable Auto Insurance, Customized for You The Insurance Savings You Expect Great Rates and Award-Winning Service On Wednesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that Ford will recall 694,271 crossover SUVs due to a fuel leak problem that could cause a fire under the hood. Ford's 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape models with a 1.5-liter engine were named over concerns that their fuel injectors could crack, leaking fuel into the engine compartment, where it could then catch fire. Ongoing concerns The latest recall is the result of a yearlong investigation, and Ford told Reuters that it will cost an estimated $570 million for the company to resolve, a loss that would be reflected in its second-quarter earnings report. Recalls in 2022 and 2024 addressed the same concerns with software updates, but didn't swap out the fuel injectors. The price of Ford shares dipped on the news Wednesday. The NHTSA opened a query into the issue in 2024, prompting the company to reevaluate its recall plan and eventually leading to the broader recall to deal with the injectors themselves, which have been linked to fires even in vehicles with the updated software, Reuters reports. At the time of the prior recalls, Ford said that it was confident the lesser fixes would 'prevent the failure from occurring and protect the customer.' To deal with a separate safety concern, Ford recalled more than 850,000 vehicles earlier in July over worries about the low-pressure fuel pumps in some models, including the Bronco, Explorer, and Lincoln Aviator. The recall notice noted concerns that a loss of fuel pressure and flow could dangerously cause affected vehicles to stall out. Those worries were especially pronounced in warm weather and 'low fuel conditions, and reduced fuel pump internal clearances that result in an increase of internal friction and sensitivity to vapor lock.' Why so many recalls? While going public with vehicle problems certainly makes for bad headlines, Ford's chief operating officer Kumar Galhotra defended the company's unprecedented flurry of recalls in comments to The Wall Street Journal. 'The increase in recalls reflects our intensive strategy to quickly find and fix any hardware and software issues and to go the extra mile to protect customers,' Galhotra said. Last year, Ford CEO Jim Farley said that the company hopes to trim its recall track record by keeping redesigned models for up to six weeks for additional extensive quality checks. That move was expected to put a dent into business in the short term, Farley warned, but the long-term benefits would balance out. 'What we're going to see long term is fewer recalls and lower warranty costs because of this new process,' Farley said in a 2024 earnings call. Since joining Ford in 2020, after two decades at Toyota—a car brand synonymous with reliability—Farley has reportedly crusaded to up the automaker's quality game. Ford test-drove the new process with a redesigned version of its best-selling model, the F-150 pickup. After holding onto 60,000 fully built vehicles for weeks, the company rooted out issues that would have led to 12 recalls, including assembly problems and software bugs. The company followed suit with updated versions of the Explorer, Bronco, and Maverick. 'We are somewhere in the middle of the pack, and obviously we're not happy with being in the middle of the pack,' Galhotra told Bloomberg last year. 'The goal is to move very rapidly to catch Toyota.' If all goes as planned, Ford's new process will reduce recalls for new models as they hit the streets. Ford vehicles already on the road won't benefit from the additional testing period and are still leading to costly recalls, as recent headlines make clear. Vehicle recalls have been on the rise in recent years. Between 2013 and 2023, recalls shot up by 43%, according to data from the NHTSA. The increased technological complexity in modern cars means that more things can go wrong, but automakers are also being more proactive in recalling vehicles over potential problems before they can become serious down the road. Even with recalls rising across the board, Ford still stands out. Since 2020, the company has held the ignominious title of being the most-recalled car manufacturer in the U.S. This post originally appeared at to get the Fast Company newsletter: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ford's recall problem keeps getting worse—and this one could start fires
Ford is setting records in 2025, but not in a good way. The automaker has already blown by the previous record for having the most safety recalls in a calendar year, and now another major round of recalls is calling the brand's reliability into question. The Platinum Card is about to change. Amex's new fast-format airport lounge might be a sneak preview This new tax deduction in Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' lets people cash in on charitable donations up to $2,000. Here's what to know Southwest Florida's housing market is undergoing a material home price correction—here's why Switch Auto Insurance and Save Today! The Insurance Savings You Expect Affordable Auto Insurance, Customized for You Great Rates and Award-Winning Service On Wednesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that Ford will recall 694,271 crossover SUVs due to a fuel leak problem that could cause a fire under the hood. Ford's 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape models with a 1.5-liter engine were named over concerns that their fuel injectors could crack, leaking fuel into the engine compartment, where it could then catch fire. Ongoing concerns The latest recall is the result of a yearlong investigation, and Ford told Reuters that it will cost an estimated $570 million for the company to resolve, a loss that would be reflected in its second-quarter earnings report. Recalls in 2022 and 2024 addressed the same concerns with software updates, but didn't swap out the fuel injectors. The price of Ford shares dipped on the news Wednesday. The NHTSA opened a query into the issue in 2024, prompting the company to reevaluate its recall plan and eventually leading to the broader recall to deal with the injectors themselves, which have been linked to fires even in vehicles with the updated software, Reuters reports. At the time of the prior recalls, Ford said that it was confident the lesser fixes would 'prevent the failure from occurring and protect the customer.' To deal with a separate safety concern, Ford recalled more than 850,000 vehicles earlier in July over worries about the low-pressure fuel pumps in some models, including the Bronco, Explorer, and Lincoln Aviator. The recall notice noted concerns that a loss of fuel pressure and flow could dangerously cause affected vehicles to stall out. Those worries were especially pronounced in warm weather and 'low fuel conditions, and reduced fuel pump internal clearances that result in an increase of internal friction and sensitivity to vapor lock.' Why so many recalls? While going public with vehicle problems certainly makes for bad headlines, Ford's chief operating officer Kumar Galhotra defended the company's unprecedented flurry of recalls in comments to The Wall Street Journal. 'The increase in recalls reflects our intensive strategy to quickly find and fix any hardware and software issues and to go the extra mile to protect customers,' Galhotra said. Last year, Ford CEO Jim Farley said that the company hopes to trim its recall track record by keeping redesigned models for up to six weeks for additional extensive quality checks. That move was expected to put a dent into business in the short term, Farley warned, but the long-term benefits would balance out. 'What we're going to see long term is fewer recalls and lower warranty costs because of this new process,' Farley said in a 2024 earnings call. Since joining Ford in 2020, after two decades at Toyota—a car brand synonymous with reliability—Farley has reportedly crusaded to up the automaker's quality game. Ford test-drove the new process with a redesigned version of its best-selling model, the F-150 pickup. After holding onto 60,000 fully built vehicles for weeks, the company rooted out issues that would have led to 12 recalls, including assembly problems and software bugs. The company followed suit with updated versions of the Explorer, Bronco, and Maverick. 'We are somewhere in the middle of the pack, and obviously we're not happy with being in the middle of the pack,' Galhotra told Bloomberg last year. 'The goal is to move very rapidly to catch Toyota.' If all goes as planned, Ford's new process will reduce recalls for new models as they hit the streets. Ford vehicles already on the road won't benefit from the additional testing period and are still leading to costly recalls, as recent headlines make clear. Vehicle recalls have been on the rise in recent years. Between 2013 and 2023, recalls shot up by 43%, according to data from the NHTSA. The increased technological complexity in modern cars means that more things can go wrong, but automakers are also being more proactive in recalling vehicles over potential problems before they can become serious down the road. Even with recalls rising across the board, Ford still stands out. Since 2020, the company has held the ignominious title of being the most-recalled car manufacturer in the U.S. This post originally appeared at to get the Fast Company newsletter: Sign in to access your portfolio
Auto Blog
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
I Drove the 2025 Honda Civic Si for a Week, and I'm Convinced That You Don't Need a Type R
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The 2025 Honda Civic Si has enough gusto Ask any Honda enthusiast what their favorite model is from the Japanese automaker, and the Civic Type R is likely to come up. We can't blame anyone for saying that, considering the hot hatchback pushes more than 300 horsepower to its front wheels and handles like a rear-wheel-drive car. We have spent some time in the Civic Type R and came away impressed with it, but its nearly $46,000 price tag leaves something to be desired. However, when shopping for a sporty car, you have to think about more than just its price and power. 0:07 / 0:09 2025 Honda Accord: 4 reasons to love it, 2 reasons to think twice Watch More For instance, if you're only looking for something fun to drive on the street but don't plan on hitting the track at all, then I would argue that the Honda Civic Si presents a better value over its high-powered stablemate. Like its big brother, the Type R, the Civic Si only comes equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, so it's plenty fun right out of the box. It also has a sport-tuned suspension and well-bolstered seats to hold you in at every corner, so you'll get those boy-racer sensations when driving it spiritedly. 2025 Honda Civic Si — Source: Honda However, the Civic Si is also powered by a smaller turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, compared to the Type R's 2.0-liter mill, which only produces 200 horsepower to the front wheels. But does that mean it's not fun to drive? After all, there are many critics and owners out there saying that it feels underpowered, especially when comparing it to the Type R. To find out, I spent a week in the 2025 Honda Civic Si and was surprisingly impressed with its performance. In fact, by the end of the week, I was convinced that most prospective buyers shouldn't even look at the Type R. 2023 Honda Civic Type R — Source: Honda The Civic Si is more than its power rating As stated, the 2025 Honda Civic Si is motivated by a small turbocharged engine that generates 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, which doesn't sound like much compared to other high-performance sedans and hatchbacks on the market. For example, the competing Volkswagen GTI has 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, which sounds monstrous compared to the Civic. And, of course, the Type R completely overshadows it with its 315-horsepower rating. However, I'm here to argue that those power numbers don't really matter when you're behind the wheel and aiming to hit the next apex on the winding road you're on. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Let's keep in mind that the Civic Si only weighs 2,952 pounds, which is relatively light for a sedan equipped with plenty of safety features and other comfort amenities that typically add a lot of weight. This isn't a race car, by any means, but it is fun to drive. With its good power-to-weight ratio, the Civic Si feels agile and quick when you put it through its paces. No, it doesn't pull like a freight train, and it won't win any drag races against a Mustang GT, but straight-line speed isn't what this car is about, so don't mind its 6.6-second 0-60-mph time. That's actually still pretty quick, but on paper, it doesn't sound that great compared to other performance cars. 2025 Honda Civic Si — Source: Honda Instead, the Civic Si shines in the corners with its sport-tuned suspension and 18-inch wheels wrapped in sticky summer tires. I sent the Civic Si down my favorite Colorado canyon road, and it ate up the corners with ease, so much so that I could barely get the tires to complain. Its handling limits are meant to be explored on a racetrack. Maybe not a large one with sweeping turns, but a technical one with sharp corners will allow the driver to really feel what the car is about. As for the powertrain, the Civic Si's force-fed mill pumped out its power in a smooth way throughout the whole rpm band. It has a meaty mid-range torque curve that does well to pull the car out of tight turns, and its close-ratio gear set keeps the tachometer needle right where it needs to be. The limited-slip differential also gives the car the traction it needs when cornering at speed. Needless to say, traction and superior handling are what this car is about, and that's mostly what makes it fun to drive. 2025 Honda Civic Si — Source: Honda Final thoughts: You don't really need a Civic Type R Considering how well the Honda Civic Si handles on canyon roads, it's surprisingly comfortable to drive on the street. The suspension soaked up road imperfections well, and the car never felt unsettled when hitting dips and going over speed bumps. The Civic Type R, on the other hand, feels a little rougher on the street, and despite its insane power and superb handling prowess, it's not fun to drive over speed bumps or up steep driveways. You know, regular driving duties. Additionally, although some enthusiasts will like the Civic Type R's well-bolstered race buckets, those tall bolsters are a pain to get over when getting in and out of the car. The Civic Si's sport seats are bolstered well too, and they hold you in under tight cornering pretty well, but they also aren't a pain to get in and out of. 2023 Honda Civic Type R — Source: Honda Lastly, while the Civic Type R's immense power and handling make the car feel like a race car on paved roads, it's better suited for an actual racetrack so the driver can really explore its limits. The Civic Si, on the other hand, can be enjoyed on normal roads and on a normal commute while giving you a smile-inducing experience when you want to take the scenic route on your way home from work. About the Author Joe Santos View Profile
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Renault CFO named interim CEO as automaker slashes guidance
This story was originally published on CFO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Renault Group appointed its CFO Duncan Minto to the role of interim CEO, effective July 15, according to a company release Tuesday. The move comes one month after the French automaker's former CEO Luca de Meo announced his intent to step down from the position, also effective Tuesday. In his temporary role, Minto will 'ensure the day-to-day management of the company' together with Jean-Dominique Senard, who will become chairman, the Paris, France based company said. The selection process for a permanent successor to the CEO seat is 'already well underway,' according to the release. Also Tuesday, the automaker slashed both its free cash flow and its operating margin guidance for full-year 2025, with Renault now anticipating free cash flow of between 1.0 billion to 1.5 billion euros ($1.16 billion to $1.7 billion USD), versus the €2 billion forecast previously, according to a separate press release detailing preliminary results for its H1 of 2025. The company is also now expecting an operating margin around 6.5% compared to the 7% it expected previously for the year. Dive Insight: First joining Renault in 1997, Minto has 'solid experience in finance and a deep understanding of the issues at stake,' the automaker said in its Tuesday announcement. During his time at Renault, Minto has served in various regional and divisional CFO roles, including a four-year term as finance chief for its Asia Pacific market and as CFO for its Dacia Brand, according to his LinkedIn profile. The interim CEO appointment comes as Renault looks to strengthen its cost reduction plan, after announcing it would be implementing additional measures to cut expenses in its first quarter earnings report in April, according to company releases. Renault also recorded group revenue of €27.6 billion, a 2.5% increase. The automaker also reported free cash flow of €47 million, which includes 'a significantly negative change in the working capital requirement' estimated at €900m excluding tax effects. It attributed its preliminary results to lower-than-expected performance in June, including 'an increasing commercial pressure due to the continuing decline in the retail market,' as well as underperformance of its light commercial vehicle business in what it described as a 'sharply declining' market in Europe. The European auto market has faced declining sales over the past several months, with new car registrations in the European Union falling by 0.6% in May compared to the prior year period, after seeing a 1.2% dip in April, according to figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association. In May, Renault Group saw a 4% increase in new car registrations for the month across its brands, including Renault, Dacia and Alpine, according to ACEA data. Facing an increasingly competitive market, Renault will pursue a 'strict commercial policy, prioritizing value creation over volume to protect its launches,' as well as moving forward with its cash reduction plan, the company said. Renault plans to announce its H1 2025 results on July 31. EU automakers have come under further pressure amid the ever-changing tariffs proposed by the Trump administration. On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced the U.S. will implement 30% tariffs on imports from the EU and Mexico, CFO Dive sister publication Supply Chain Dive previously reported, to be effective Aug. 1. EU auto imports already face a 25% tariff, alongside a 50% tariff on aluminum and steel, causing economists to warn the additional tariffs could hamper the region's economic growth, according to a report by The New York Times. Other European automakers have already reported negative impacts from the Trump administration's tariffs. On Monday, Volvo Car AB announced it would be taking a non-cash impairment charge of 11.4 billion Swedish kroner (approximately $1.2 billion USD) for its second quarter, as U.S. import tariffs hamper its ability to sell certain of its models profitably in the market, according to a press release. Margins for other vehicles are also under pressure in the EU also due to tariffs, the German automaker said. U.S.-based auto firms such as Tesla, meanwhile, have also reported feeling the effects of tariffs; the electric vehicle maker's CFO, Vaibhav Taneja, warned during the company's most recent earnings call in April that tariffs would have 'various impacts' on its business, CFO Dive previously reported. The electric vehicle maker's net income slid 71% for its Q1 of 2025, while vehicle deliveries slid 13%. Renault declined to comment on the interim appointment beyond its press release. Recommended Reading UPS CFO set to depart, citing health Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
Volvo Car Income Fell in Second Quarter as Tariffs Hit Sales
Volvo Car AB's operating income dropped in the second quarter as global trade tensions hurt sales. The automaker's retail sales plunged 12% to 181,600 vehicles in the three months through June, it said Thursday. Nevertheless, Volvo saw a positive effect in the second quarter from its cost cutting efforts.
