Autoblog

Senate OKs mandatory black boxes in cars for 2015, House expected to follow

Jeff Sabatini — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:31:00 EST

It's been working its way through Congress for years, but according to Car and Driver, an event recorder mandate could soon become law. The Senate has already voted to adopt a transportation bill that would make the so-called "black boxes" mandatory by the 2015 model year. According to the report, the House of Representatives is also expected to pass a similar statute.

While the specifics of the bills are "vague" - to use C/D's words - they're also likely to change before becoming law. What probably won't, according to the report, is the standard data set that the Department of Transportation has set forth, 15 measurements that include direction of acceleration, throttle position, and time that the airbags fired, among others.

This raises the specter of government snooping, of course. The Senate version at least specifies that the data contained in the little electronic box is actually owned by the owner of the vehicle, according to the report. Johnny Law can still come around with a warrant to gain access to it, however, and first responders and paramedics would be able to do so without the warrant, provided they needed the information to respond to the emergency.

Senate OKs mandatory black boxes in cars for 2015, House expected to follow originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 May 2012 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeep Wrangler "Death Wobble" report prompts members of Congress to investigate

Jeff Sabatini — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Videos, Jeep, Off-Road

A local television news report on a so-called Jeep "death wobble" has led two members of the House of Representatives to write a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requesting more information about the situation, which they describe as a "serious safety issue." The three-page letter does not demand an investigation or recall, but asks the agency numerous questions regarding the problem and what is known about it. The original report aired on KGO-TV in San Francisco in February.

The two members of Congress describe the problem as "a powerful shaking of the steering wheel and front wheels after a driver hits road bumps at speed," affecting 2005-2010 model year Jeep Wranglers. The news report says NHTSA has received over 600 complaints about wobbling and vibrating in Jeep vehicles since 1995, "mostly Wranglers." Indeed, YouTube is rife with videos of shaking Wranglers, some of which we've gathered after the jump.

Chrysler issued the following statement regarding the accusations:

Chrysler Group vehicles meet or exceed every applicable government safety standard and have excellent safety records. All manufacturer vehicles equipped with a solid axle are susceptible to vibration and, if experienced, it can be corrected by performing minor maintenance items, such as properly balancing or changing the tires, or a front end alignment, installing a new steering dampener, or by tightening or replacing other loose or worn parts. In fact, most reported incidents - in all manufacturer vehicles equipped with or without a solid axle - are often linked to poorly installed or maintained after-market equipment, such as lift kits, oversized tires, etc. This is not a safety issue, and there are no injuries involving Chrysler Group vehicles related to this allegation. Indeed, the name you've given to this condition has no basis in fact.

While we're not so sure blaming the customer for improper maintenance is the right response, we will say that Wranglers and their antecedents are unique beasts, what with their solid axles and high centers of gravity. This is why they're so wonderful off road, and why those that choose to use them as daily drivers shouldn't expect them to behave exactly like every other vehicle they encounter on their commute. And of course if there is, indeed, a "serious safety issue" with the Wrangler, we would expect Chrysler to address it.

Click past the jump to read the full letter, watch the most recent news report, and see videos of Jeeps exhibiting the symptoms.

Continue reading Jeep Wrangler "Death Wobble" report prompts members of Congress to investigate

Jeep Wrangler "Death Wobble" report prompts members of Congress to investigate originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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House panel blocks sale of E15

Zach Bowman — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

The Science Committee in the House of Representatives has a approved a bill that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from allowing the use of gasoline with a higher ethanol content without additional study.

According to The Detroit News, the bill was sponsored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wisconsin and passed 19-7 along party lines after numerous groups spoke out against E15. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the American Petroleum Institute, the Friends of the Earth, the Milk Producers Council, the American Bakers Association and the National Turkey Federation all pushed for further E15 study.

Last year, the government estimated more domestic corn was used for ethanol than to feed farm animals, and opponents of ethanol argue E15 would only lead to steeper food prices across the country.

Congress just recently ended a 30-year tax subsidy on corn-based ethanol and put a stop to tariffs on the fuel imported from Brazil. The subsidy alone reportedly cost taxpayers $6 billion annually. All told, Congress has awarded the ethanol industry $45 billion in subsidies since 1980.

House panel blocks sale of E15 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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House votes to end car czar's tenure

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

The czars - all of them - are dead in the House of Representatives. Even though every "czar" position in government had already been vacated, the House passed a spending bill that officially eliminated the role and forbids the White House from naming more. In some cases, automotive and banking bailouts and executive pay especially, the czar himself was as polarizing as the job he had to do, and the enduring, transformative effects of their work can explain why politicians might target them.

However, just in case you hear of the role again or you read about a policy head who's a czar in all but name (and assuming the Senate passes the bill), you should know that you can't really get rid of all the czars since there's no precise definition of one. Most "czars" get that moniker from journalists even though they have proper, long-form titles. And if you take the position that a czar is an appointee who hasn't been confirmed by the Senate, then czars go all the way back to Woodrow Wilson and World War I, and all but five presidents since then have had czars in their administrations.

The vote eliminated nine of the 33 positions that fit that latter definition, the beloved empty seat of our former car czars being one of them. We have a feeling at least one of those czars will be making news for a while, though - Ron Bloom's been pretty quiet, but it looks like Steven Ratter still has a few things to get off his chest...

House votes to end car czar's tenure originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Senate reaches deal to avert government shutdown, preserves auto funds

Zach Bowman — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:02:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

The U.S. Senate approved a stop-gap funding measure to stave off a looming government shut down on Monday. At the same time, lawmakers have also managed to keep from cutting a special fund designed to help automakers retool their manufacturing centers for more fuel-efficient models. The Detroit News reports that Republicans in the House of Representatives wanted to cut funding from the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program to free up funds to direct toward the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Last week, FEMA announced that the agency only had enough funds to carry its relief efforts through Friday. The new stop-gap measure funds FEMA along with the rest of the federal government through November 18.

Democrats in Congress want to use federal funds to spur job creation, especially in the green sector, while Republicans argue that federal spending is already out of control and damaging the nation's economy. The two groups have repeatedly locked horns over the national budget in the past few months.

Officially, the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program has saved or created around 40,000 jobs since its creation in 2007. Of the $7.2 billion originally set aside for the fund, around $4 billion remains, according to The Detroit News. The money has been used for projects by both Ford and Nissan.

Senate reaches deal to avert government shutdown, preserves auto funds originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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House introduces bill calling for ban on holding phones while driving

Zach Bowman — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Safety

The Detroit Free Press is reporting that legislation introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives may ban drivers from even holding a cell phone while behind the wheel. The Safe Drivers Act of 2011, introduced by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-NY, aims to prevent all drivers from holding any mobile device while operating a vehicle by directing the Department of Transportation to enact standards to prohibit the behavior. McCarthy said that making phone calls, texting or using apps is just as dangerous as drunk driving and much more prevalent.

The legislation incorporates provisions for a Department of Transportation study on whether or not talking on the phone at all poses a serious safety risk. The findings would be reported in two years time, at which time adjustments to the measure might be considered.

Meanwhile, drivers would still be allowed to use hands-free devices for mobile communication. Additionally, certain emergency situations would exempt drivers from penalty if caught using a phone while driving.

The Detroit Free Press says that presently, just nine states already ban drivers from holding a phone while driving.

House introduces bill calling for ban on holding phones while driving originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: House votes 'overwhelmingly' to block E15 fuel

Zach Bowman — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

According to The Detroit News, the U.S. House of Representatives has voted to block the Environmental Protection Agency from moving toward a higher blend of ethanol in America's gasoline. Representatives voted 286-135 against allowing the EPA to issue a waiver that would allow gas stations to sell E15. Currently, fueling stations are only allowed to sell E10, which contains up to 10 percent of the biofuel. The new legislation would allow a 50-percent increase in the amount of ethanol sold in each gallon of gasoline. Representative John Sullivan (R-Oklahoma) attached an amendment to the bill to provide funding for the U.S. government through September, effectively killing the legislation.

While The Renewable Fuels Association criticized the decision to stop the E15 waiver, several groups were thoroughly against the increase in ethanol. Those include everyone from the Specialty Equipment Market Association to the American Bakers Association.

The EPA has already approved E15 for vehicles made after 2001, but some groups worry that a higher blend across the board could wind up corroding older engines. Meanwhile, proponents of the increase claim that larger ethanol quantities will help lower America's dependence on foreign oil.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Report: House votes 'overwhelmingly' to block E15 fuel originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: House committee passes bill requiring black boxes, brake overide systems

Zach Bowman — Thu, 27 May 2010 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

A massive auto safety overhaul bill has made its way out of committee and onto the floor of the House of Representatives for voting. According to Automotive News, the biggest changes that the bill proposes is the mandatory addition of black boxes and brake override mechanisms to all new cars and trucks. The event-data recorders would track information shortly before and after an accident for a specified period of time in order to help investigators determine the cause of an accident. Legislators and manufacturers alike began to push for the recorders in the wake of multiple accidents associated with Toyota's unintended acceleration woes.

Originally, the bill would have required the black boxes to record data for a total of 75 seconds, though the House Energy and Commerce committee changed the legislation to allow the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration to determine the length. The bill also deals with regulations concerning pushbutton starts, pedal placement and a number of other auto-safety issues. If the bill passes the House of Representatives, it will be sent to the Senate for a final vote before becoming law.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: House committee passes bill requiring black boxes, brake overide systems originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 May 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA lists pro-auto hobby lawmakers in your state

Dan Roth — Sun, 23 May 2010 19:07:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Government/Legal

Look at any legislation related to cars, and it seems pretty obvious that lawmakers hate automobiles. While it seems odd that people who get driven around Washington D.C. gridlock in full-size SUVs are railing against the same kind of vehicles, there's also a contingent of legislators on the state level who understand that "suck, squeeze, bang, blow" has nothing to do with Clinton-era interns.

For the last five years, SEMA has partnered with state lawmakers interested in preserving and protecting the automotive hobby in the form of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. If you're a gearhead interested in knowing who your friends are at your state's Capitol when it comes to the love of cars, SEMA's list of state Senators, Reps and Assemblymen who are members of the Caucus is where to go.

There are even photos of some members posing with their personal rides. It's a .pdf-based e-document, but you can easily figure out where to send your greasy-fingerprinted, crayon-composed love letters.

[Source: SEMA.org]

SEMA lists pro-auto hobby lawmakers in your state originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 23 May 2010 19:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cash for Clunkers passes Congress, awaits President's signature

John Neff — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal

After narrowly surviving an attempt by Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H. to strip it from a war-spending bill, the Cash for Clunkers program passed the Senate yesterday evening. Well, the $106 billion war-spending bill passed the Senate on a 91-5 vote, but the $1 billion scrapping program earlier survived Sen. Gregg's attempt to have it removed and thus passed, as well. Now the bill makes its way to President Obama, who is expected to sign the bill into law, after which the U.S. Transportation Department reportedly has one month to figure out how the Cash for Clunkers program will be run. Since Congress reduced funding for the program from $4 billion to just $1 billion, it's expected that the money will run out long before the program is scheduled to end on November 1.

The Cash for Clunkers program is intended to aid automakers and their dealers, including imports, by offering vouchers worth between $3,500 and $4,500 to car buyers willing to trade in their old vehicles for new, more fuel efficient ones. The program's eligibility rules, however, are stiff. Trade-in vehicles have to be in drivable condition, insured by the same owner for the last year, manufactured in 1984 or later and have a combined EPA fuel economy rating of 18 mpg or less.

The new car being purchased must also achieve at least 22 mpg combined in order to receive the $3,500 voucher and be 10 mpg better than your trade-in to earn the $4,500 voucher. For light trucks and SUVs, the new vehicle must get 2 mpg better than the old one for $3,500 and 5 mpg better for $4,500. Reported estimates say around 250,000 car shoppers will be able to take advantage of the program, so don't sell your clunker on Craigslist if you want to be one of them.

[Source: The Detroit Free Press | Photo by Kevin Burkett | CC2.0]

Cash for Clunkers passes Congress, awaits President's signature originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford CEO Mulally gets 37% pay cut; Gephardt, Earley appointed to board

Chris Paukert — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Ford, Earnings/Financials

Ford's CEO Alan Mulally took hope a tidy $13.57 million compensation package for his work in 2008, While that's a handsome sum, it represents a 37 percent cut of the $21.67 million he took home in 2007 - and that's before the ex-Boeing exec takes an additional 30 percent haircut for 2009. By comparison, General Motors' CEO Rick Wagoner and Chrysler's Bob Nardelli are slated to have salaries of $1 each, although both automakers have already received $17.4 billion in federal loans.

In addition, Automotive News reports that the company will abolish merit raises for salaried workers in the U.S. (and in most of its global ops), kill off a worldwide incentive compensation program for 2008 and newer employees, and give no compensation to board members for 2009.

In related news that's causing a bit of consternation, AN is reporting that Mulally and executive chairman Bill Ford will continue to use corporate jets for business and private travel. The flights will be chartered planes, as Ford put its own fleet of private aircraft up for sale some time ago after being chided by politicians during the bailout hearings on Capitol Hill.

Speaking of which, Ford also has some news on that front, as well. The Wall Street Journal reports that House Majority Leader Richard "Dick" Gephardt has now found a seat on the Blue Oval's board, as has Anthony Earley, chairman and CEO of DTE Energy Co. The two bigwigs replace seats vacated by members who reportedly no longer have the necessary time to serve.

[Sources: Automotive News - subs. req.; Wall Street Journal | Image: AFP/Getty]

Ford CEO Mulally gets 37% pay cut; Gephardt, Earley appointed to board originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One down, one to go: Detroit 3 CEOs begin House testimony

John Neff — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:49:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Chrysler, Ford, GM

Having watched each of the Detroit 3 CEOs take tough questions from the Senate Banking Committee for six hours yesterday, we've returned to the couch today to watch General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner, Ford CEO Alan Mulally, Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli and Ron Gettelfinger, President of the United Auto Workers union, visit House members of the Financial Services Committee led by Rep. Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts).

We were actually surprised at how well yesterday's hearings went for the Detroit 3. There was far less grand standing by politicians this time around, due largely in part to the lesson learned by each CEO after that whole private jet fiasco. A couple of yesterday's creative solutions for the mess in Motown included a "pre-packaged bankruptcy" in which financing for restructuring would be secured beforehand, as well as a renewed interest in seeing GM and Chrysler follow through on their erstwhile attempt to merge a few months ago. Since Ford's position is more secure than that of GM and Chrysler, Alan Mulally looked bored most of the day, while his colleague Bob Nardelli got the grilling of a lifetime. Senators seemed particularly interested in why Chrysler's owner, the private equity firm Cerberus, couldn't just infuse the Auburn Hills-based automaker with more money.

While senators yesterday seemed to take the situation much more seriously this time around, we've just finished watching opening statements made by members of the House of Representatives in the Financial Services Committee and were less than impressed. It appears the soap boxes are out and spot lights are on.

[Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty]

One down, one to go: Detroit 3 CEOs begin House testimony originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Skinny: Automaker aid from the Feds

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Earnings/Financials

So here's a breakdown of what's going on in Congress concerning federal aid for U.S. automakers. A Senate bill expected to be voted on this Thursday would expedite funds for Ford, GM and Chrysler so that they could actually get the cash they need within 22 days after the bill becomes law -- should the bill become law. The $25 billion loan, paid back at an initial rate of 5-percent, would come out of the $700 billion bailout fund for financial institutions. The Senate's stipulations would be that the government receives "stock warrants or senior debt instruments to the government," similar to actions taken with banks that accessed the $700 billion. As well, top executives get no big payouts and stockholders get no dividends.

The rumblings on the track indicate that unless the folks in favor can change a lot of minds before Thursday, the Senate bill has little hope of passing. That makes it even more unlikely that a House version of the bill would pass, since it has even stricter requirements. The House bill would also get money for the automakers quickly, but would establish a Financial Stability Oversight Board that would have veto power over any auto company action that would cost more than $25 million. Who would be on that board and how would they be chosen? Who knows.

Latest word is also that the White House doesn't want to take money from the $700 billion bank bailout and use it for the auto industry. It would rather speed up disbursement of the $25 billion in low interest loans that was already approved for research into more fuel efficient vehicles and let the automakers use that for their current cash needs. The White House also wants, and the Senate bill requests, that Ford, GM and Chrysler give the Treasury "a detailed plan on how the government funds requested will be utilized to ensure the long-term financial posture of the company." Cue the dramatic music, some maniacal laughter and the late Vincent Price intoning: the plot thickens.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

The Skinny: Automaker aid from the Feds originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's just a bill, that can't get passed: Senate fails to move energy bill forward

John Neff — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 11:03:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Green

Despite being passed by the House of Representatives yesterday by a 235 to 181 margin, the new energy bill reached the Senate floor this morning and failed to muster enough votes to move on to the White House, where the President has threatened a veto of it in its current state. The Senate vote was 53 to 42, a majority but still seven votes shy of the 60 it needed. This means that the Senate will now spend the weekend reworking the bill, after which it will have to go back to the House for approval yet again. The funny thing is, the automotive industry actually supports the bill in its current state, despite the fact that it calls for a jump in CAFE requirements to a fleet-wide average of 35 mpg by 2020. Even with the support of the industry, politicians seem intent on keeping this bill running around in circles.

[Source: Automotive News]

It's just a bill, that can't get passed: Senate fails to move energy bill forward originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Dec 2007 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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House of Reps approves doomed energy bill

John Neff — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Green

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved the Energy Independence and Security Act today by a margin of 235 to 181. The new energy bill was crafted on a compromise reached last week between Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), and calls for an increase of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard to 35 mpg by 2020. Though the compromises contained in the bill, like keeping standards for cars and trucks separate, assured it a win in the House, it seems there's little chance of it surviving elsewhere. House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) came right out and said the bill "clearly has no chance of becoming law." That's because the White House has already said it will veto the bill, which contains additional green policy that affects more than just CAFE standards.

The bill heads to the Senate next, where it will likely lose much of its teeth before being sent off to the President's desk for a possible veto. A number of automakers that have rallied against various forms of this bill have already made public statements that they'll put their best efforts forth to comply with whatever changes are made into law (read GM's statement here and Ford's after the jump), which means they sense the fight is ending and it's time start working on technologies to raise their fleet-wide fuel economy average.

[Source: Houston Chronicle]

Continue reading House of Reps approves doomed energy bill

House of Reps approves doomed energy bill originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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