With so many auto makers currently active in the market and developments made every day from partnerships to technology, it’s next to impossible to keep up with the industry. Below, you’ll find a snapshot of ongoing developments across the auto market to keep you in the loop.
Hyundai Plagued With Recalls
Several significant recalls have been announced from Hyundai this month. The company is recalling model year 2017 Santa Fe sport vehicles as the driver’s seat belt may come unanchored in a collision. The recall is affecting 17,160 vehicles that may not have had the bolt for the seat belt anchor sufficiently tightened during assembly, and it is expected to begin June 30, 2017. As part of the same recall, both Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles are being recalled due to faulty cables for the secondary hood latch, which may corrode and prevent the hood from latching. Hyundai is currently looking into solutions to the problem.
Just a few days prior, Hyundai also announced a recall for model year 2015-2016 Sonata and Genesis vehicles: the parking brake warning light may intermittently not illuminate in the dash due to corrosion in the switch. This may cause the driver to unknowingly drive with the parking brake partially engaged. This recall is also expected to begin June 30th, and will affect approximately 160,000 vehicles.
Honda Drops V-6 for 2018 Accord
Honda has announced that the 10th generation Accord will not have a V-6 option, instead revealing a powerful 2.0-liter turbo mill high trim option. This comes as no surprise with several automakers moving toward small turbo engines offering higher power with better fuel economy.
The debut engine is based on the 2.0-liter Civic Type R with a low-inertia turbo and a special tune for added fuel options. The vehicle will also boast a secondary harmonic balancer for added smoothness, a 10-speed automatic transmission (6-speed manual option), and a lighter weight overall. Though Honda has not yet released all of the specs, the 2.0-liter turbo may be more robust than the 278-horsepower V-6 it will replace.
Tesla Model X Crash Tests
The Model X has become the first SUV to get five-star ratings in all National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests. This indicates the lowest probability of injury with several accident scenarios out of any SUV ever tested.
Interestingly, Tesla attributes the superior performance to the electric architecture. For example, the battery pack is mounted beneath the floor of the vehicle, which creates a low center of gravity and lowers the risk of rollover. All-told, Model X occupants have a 93% chance of walking away without a serious injury from accidents similar to the tests. You can watch these tests here.
Nissan to Standardize Automatic Braking
The manufacturer recently announced plans to make automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems standard on seven of its models, including the Rogue, Altima, and Murano, in 2018. This policy is estimated to be deployed in over one million vehicles sold in the United States.
Last year, 20 automakers agreed to make AEB standard on nearly all US vehicles by 2022, but Nissan has upped the ante (and the timetable) as part of their “ongoing commitment to help reduce fatalities while realizing [their] comprehensive vision of Nissan Intelligent Mobility.” Systems like AEB that decrease rear-end collisions are estimated to reduce injury insurance claims by 35%.
Image courtesy of pixabay.com
