Chrysler To Pay Back Government Loans

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It’s been a slow recovery, but on Thursday, Chrysler announced that they expect to pay back the $7.5 billion in Government loans by the end of next month. Although the details are still being negotiated, Chrysler hopes to sell new bonds to investors and use that money to help pay back the loans. This will allow Chrysler to strengthen its alliance with Fiat and revamp its operations to gain market shares.

According to Rebecca Lindland, an analyst with the research firm IHS Global Insight, “Tuning up their balance sheet and reducing debt will help Chrysler direct more money towards product development.” First on the list is to add more fuel efficient cars to its truck heavy lineup. The integration of Fiat and Chrysler will speed up the arrival of new Fiat based models to be sold to the American market. Without the psychological and financial drag of the loans Chrysler can start to slowly rebuild its company.

Toyota Recalls 2011 Tundra Trucks

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Toyota announced Tuesday that they will be recalling over 50,000 2011 Tundra trucks to inspect the rear drive shaft. The Japanese automaker estimated that about 0.05% of the trucks made may have been fitted with a slip yoke that was improperly cast during the foundry process. There has been one complaint of drive shaft slip yoke failure, but no accidents or injuries have been reported

The owners with recalled vehicles will start receiving notifications starting May, where dealers will inspect the production lot number to see if it has been installed with the problem component. Additional information can be found at www.toyota.com/recall or contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

Fiat Increases Ownership Of Chrysler

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On Monday, Fiat announced they will be increasing ownership of Chrysler by 16% for a total 46% of the company. Once the auto manufacturers government loans have been paid, Fiat hopes to take a 51% majority stake in Chrysler as early as by the end of this year.

Sergio Marchionne, chief executive of both auto makers, says that this is an important step towards the integration of Fiat and Chrysler, started under two years ago. The result will be the creation of a global auto maker. They have chosen to speed up the pace to bring about the birth of a single group capable of international activities. Fiat outlined its plans after reaching an agreement with Chrysler’s shareholders, which include the U.S. Treasury Department, the United Auto Workers’ health trust fund and the Canadian government. The move shows that there is confidence in Chrysler turning around and becoming a profitable auto manufacturer. It does not mean Chrysler is fixed, it does show that Marchionne believes it is on track.

California Lemon Law Buybacks

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Here at the Law Offices of Delsack & Associates, we represent our clients to the highest legal standards. In over 23 years of helping California consumers, we have successfully represented thousands of clients throughout the state in all types of lemon law cases, with all vehicle manufacturers. We are especially proud of the fact that in more than 9 out of 10 of these cases we are able to reach satisfactory settlements without litigation, making the settlements fast and stress free for our clients. The high standards we have set to represent only those clients with legitimate lemon law claims means that we do not compromise our integrity or reputation. Our goal is not to be the “largest” lemon law firm in California, but to continue to be the best.
Below is a list of some of our most recent success stories where we helped consumers get settlements for their lemons:

  • 1. 2007 GMC Yukon: Full buyback – Garden Grove, CA – 18,166 miles
  • 2. 2007 BMW X5: Full buyback – Sylmar, CA – 59,952 miles
  • 3. 2008 Dodge Ram: Full buy back – Bakersfield, CA – 31,192 miles
  • 4. 2009 Honda CR-V: Full buyback – Alameda, CA – 14,242 miles
  • 5. 2009 Nissan 370Z: Full buyback – Carson, CA – 22,858 miles
  • 6. 2007 Jeep Wrangler: Full buyback – Durham, CA – 37,032 miles
  • 7. 2007 Cadillac Escalade: Cash and Keep – El Dorado Hills, CA – 42,329 miles
  • 8. 2009 BMW 335i: Full buyback – Huntington Beach, CA – 22,084 miles
  • 9. 2010 Audi Q7: Full buyback – Yorba Linda, CA – 7,357 miles
  • 10. 2010 Mini Cooper: Full buyback – San Jose, CA – 1,831 miles
  • 11. 2006 Jaguar S-type: Cash and Keep – Duarte, CA – 66,195 miles
  • 12. 2010 BMW 535i: Full buyback – Long Beach, CA – 17,577 miles
  • 13. 2010 Chevrolet Malibu: Cash and Keep – Riverside, CA – 11,462 miles
  • 14. 2007 Saab 9-3: Full buyback – Tarzana, CA – 25,269 miles
  • 15. 2008 BMW 550i: Full buyback – Orange, CA – 19,919 miles

If you are in California and feel that you may have a lemon, contact our lemon law offices, or fill out our Lemon Law Case Review, for a FREE consultation.

Anywhere in California (free call): 1.888.ExLemon (395.3666)

  • California Lemon Law in Los Angeles: 310-475-1700
  • California Lemon Law in San Francisco: 415-285-5366
  • California Lemon Law in San Diego: 619-229-6900
  • California Lemon Law in Orange County: 949-856-4333
  • California Lemon Law in Palm Springs: 760-395-1000
  • California Lemon Law in San Fernando Valley: 818-837-0500

Problems With Modern Automobile Interfaces

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The modern car interface can do everything from making a dinner reservation to reading your text messages. In order to do this, an array of knobs and buttons are needed on the dashboard making the use of the system much more confusing. Sam Grobart, the Times’ personal technology editor, shows us three different interface systems that are trying to solve this problem. He test drives the Acura ZDX, Ford Focus, and the Audi A8 and finds that making our lives easier can often be frustrating.

Toyota Recalls RAV4 And Highlanders Over Airbags

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Toyota has announced a recall on over 300,000 sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) for issues with the airbag sensors that could lead to an unexpected airbag deployment. The problem is being blamed on the two airbag sensors that detect a vehicles roll angle. If both airbags fail after an airbag system check, the airbags and seat belt pretensioners could be triggered. A Toyota spokesman said that there have been reports of injury when the airbag deployed unexpectedly.

The recall involves about 200,000 2007-2008 RAV4 and almost 100,000 2008 Highlander and Highlander HV SUV’s sold in the United States. Owners will receive a recall notice starting in May, where Toyota dealers will replace the sensors free of charge.

2011 MV Agusta F4 Motorcycles Recalled

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Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta (MVA) is recalling over two hundred 2010 F4 Motorcycles. According to a report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the upper fixture points of the sub frame may not be strong enough and could lead to frame cracks and instability of the vehicle. A reinforcement support kit will be installed by dealers free of charge.

This is the second recall for this motorcycle in the past year. Last June MVA recalled almost seventy 2010 MV Agusta F4 super bikes for a faulty air filter frame that may become loose, allowing material to enter the system. This debris could damage the assembly causing the motor to seize.

Owners wanting more information on either recall can contact MV Agusta at 1-215-830-3300, or the NHTSA’s vehicle safety hot line at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).

Auto Shortage Problems Worsen

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Disruption in the auto industry because of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan last month have been minimal so far, but the continued aftershocks and impending nuclear meltdown causing roaming power shortages is starting to take it’s toll. Shortages of vehicles built in Japan are starting to be noticed around the world, and the lack of parts is making it difficult for other auto manufacturers to run their assembly lines. Auto analysts predict that Japans auto industry may not hit it’s full manufacturing potential until late this summer. This uncertainly has suppliers, automakers and dealers scrambling.

Car buyers are already having difficulty finding models they want in certain colors, and auto plant workers are expecting they will soon be told to stay home. The complexity of the auto supply chain shows just how vulnerable the industry can be. With over 3,000 parts going into a single car or truck, one missing part means the vehicle cannot be built. Customers not only notice auto shortages, but rising prices, especially on fuel efficient hybrids as gas prices rise.

IHS Automotive predicts that one-third of daily global automotive production will be cut because of supply chain disruptions. That means about 5 million vehicles worldwide won’t be built, out of the 72 million vehicles planned for production in 2011. In the U.S., some car manufacturers are considering shifting part manufacturing operations to local companies, but stringent safety requirements and exacting high tech specifications will limit a company’s flexibility. For now car executives are allocating certain parts to build the more popular and profitable vehicles.