Missing Brake Pads Prompt GM To Recall 2012 Chevy Sonic Models
If you’re one of the early buyers (or renters) of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic and planning to head over a mountain pass for the holiday weekend, you might just want to get a quick brake inspection.
GM is recalling 4,296 U.S.-market Chevy Sonic models—all assembled at the automaker’s Orion Township, Michigan plant, for a possible assembly issue that leaves the subcompact lacking either an inner or outer front disc brake pad.
According to General Motors, a rental Chevrolet Sonic was brought into a dealership in late November for brake noise, and found to be missing an inner or outer brake pad during warranty service. While this sounds hard to believe, given that vehicles receive test-drives after assembly, those who brake lightly might not notice that anything is wrong right away. The issue would cause much longer stopping distances during emergency braking or harder brake application, however.
Through the effort, dealerships will inspect the front brakes (the Sonic had drum brakes in back), installing pads as necessary and installing a new caliper and rotor if a pad had been missing. GM is sending out notification letters for the recall beginning January 14, and the effort affects vehicles that were manufactured from June 2 through November 21, 2011.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
TechCrunch Wants Steve Jobs To Run A United GM/Chrysler; We Respond Huffily
Yesterday, TechCrunch posted a letter to President Obama from Spark Capital's Todd Dagres, who offers the president some suggestions for dealing with the Big Three. In a nutshell, Dagres argues that the biggest problem with the auto industry is that Detroit doesn't design cars Americans want to buy. His big idea: put Steve Jobs in charge of a combined Chrysler and GM.
As Dagres' reasoning goes, Steve Jobs has put Apple at the forefront of the industrial design world and helped create at least two industry-changing devices: the iPod and the iPhone. People are crazy about those two gadgets, so obviously Jobs is perfectly suited to give Detroit its groove back.
...Oh, where to begin?
On the one hand, we agree that Steve Jobs is kind of awesome. Yeah, he stumbled hard in the early 90s when he let Bill Gates leapfrog to the top of the computing heap, but Jobs clawed his way back with sleek, simple, tech toys. So as far as computing and the digital lifestyle are concerned, Jobs has been on a winning streak.
On the other hand, there are some real problems with Dagres' arguments:
- American auto design is not the problem. Well, okay, it's part of the problem, but there's far more to it than that. Sure, Jobs could crank out a sweet looking ride, but no one's going to buy it until someone addresses the other issues--including America's poor perception of homegrown brands.
- Cars are not iPods. People are willing to spend money on a nifty looking iPod so they can listen to Judas Priest on the Stairmaster. If the iPod breaks, no biggie: by the time that happens, the buyer has probably gotten $100 of value from the thing. That same "disposable" mindset doesn't apply to cars, which owners expect to be both cool and reliable.
- Jobs isn't always known for being cheap. Some Apple products--especially Apple computers--are priced well above comparable PC models. That's the same problem affecting a lot of U.S. car models: buyers think they can score similarly built foreign autos for less.
- Jobs also isn't known for being innovative on the maintenance front. On the whole, Apple is pretty proprietary with its technology. Unlike, say, Google, the company doesn't have a tendency to share (e.g. the until-recent playback restrictions on iTunes purchases and the way that iPhone apps are vetted). Heck, you can't even change the iPhone's battery on your own. Can you imagine a car like that?
- Like all cults, the cult of personality is dangerous. Many people think of Steve Jobs as a messiah--a leader who can do no wrong. Frankly, that's a little scary. Leaders are fallible, and can lead others into dead ends if their choices aren't questioned. (There are several recent examples we could mention, but won't.) Furthermore, when charismatic leaders like Jobs take control, finding a replacement means almost certain doom for the company--or at least it makes for a very awkward transition.
Just to be clear, we're not saying that the auto industry doesn't need leaders. It does--especially dynamic, engaged, engaging leaders. But just as many singers fail at acting (e.g. 50 Cent, Britney Spears), and many actors fail at singing (e.g. Tyra Banks, Gillian Anderson), and Paris Hilton fails at nearly every job she's had (save one), we probably shouldn't assume that Jobs' skill sets are so easily transferable.
[source: TechCrunch]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
TheCarConnection.com’s Six Best Bang-For-The-Buck Cars
The stock market's jittery, banks are closing and the smell of recession is in the air. Is anyone worried about new cars?
The answer is yes. Regardless of the tattered condition of Wall Street and some big has-beens in the money world, the real world still is turning--and that means people are still shopping for cars. There may be fewer buyers, but automakers from all corners of the world are eager to let Americans know that the showrooms are still open, and credit is still available for those who would be a good risk.
The tumult in the economy has made some striking changes in the new-car market, though. There's not much room for frivolous purchases in times like these. Any new car has to do it all: It needs to be relatively inexpensive, it should have plenty of room, plenty of power, leading fuel economy and good looks, too. Above all, it should have all the safety gear buyers expect--and the kind of features across the board that make even base models a satisfying purchase.
As it turns out, cars and trucks and crossovers that fit the bill aren't difficult to find. TheCarConnection.com's car experts think these six cars will give car buyers the most bang for your buck--and make the most sense for drivers who have to buy now:
SEDANS: Chevrolet Malibu
Likes:
- Smooth responsive engines and transmissions
- Good fuel efficiency from four-cylinder models
- Surprisingly elegant interior styling and materials
- Relaxed on the highway, with good roadholding
- Feels different than follow-the-crowd competitors
Dislikes:
- Doesn't feel very sporty
- No Bluetooth hands-free interface
- No screen-based nav system
New in 2008, the Chevrolet Malibu proves that GM can field a competitor for the best from Honda and Toyota, and do it with superior style and even better interior room. The Malibu comes in four- and six-cylinder form, with automatic transmissions, all the safety gear you expect, lots of cabin space and great looks. At just over $21,000, the Malibu offers 30-mpg highway mileage--or in a new four-cylinder LTZ version with a six-speed automatic, 32 mpg.
Other Choices: Honda Accord, Toyota Camry
