autoMedia Auto News Blog

With a nod to its wild heritage, and answer for those who can never find their car in a mall parking lot, Dodge is introducing a limited-edition Challenger with a Furious Fuchsia Pearl Coat exterior paint. To make it more distinct, these eye-popping cars with have a Pearl White leather interior. (Read: "2010 Dodge Challenger - Plum Crazy Returns!")

The 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic in Furious Fuchsia trim will sticker for $35,140, while the high-performance SRT8 model will run $45,150 (including $725 destination). Both Furious Fuchsia editions will be available for order at Dodge dealerships nationwide in March.

Read our Dodge Challenger review, and visit the autoMedia Dodge Research Center for quick access to reviews, pricing, photos, and much more.

The Chicago Auto Show opens its doors to the media on Wednesday, though the first official peeks are finally becoming available. First up is the enthusiast stimulating 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang. Just as the Mustang V-6 and Mustang GT have made notable improvements for the early model year, the Shelby GT500 improves upon last year’s legend-making muscle car with more power, better fuel economy, and less weight. (Read: “2011 Ford Mustang GT – 5.0L Engine Returns.”)

The 2011 GT500 has an all-aluminum 5.4-liter V-8 that produces 550 horsepower and 510 lbs.-ft. of torque, nudging power up, fuel economy up enough to dodge the gas-guzzler tax, and cut 102 pounds from underhood. The significant weight savings is made possible by the new aluminum block as the foundation for the supercharged powerplant. This engine is said to be an evolution of the one found in the icon Ford GT supercar. The EPA-projected fuel economy is 15 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, up from 14 mpg city, 22 highway for the 2010 model.

The Shelby GT500 has numerous refinements throughout, such as a 20-percent reduction in road noise, yet more engine and exhaust feedback. The convertible model has additional bracing, enabling a 12-percent increase in lateral stiffness.
New features include standard HID headlamps, MyKey programmable key, and fold-down rear head rests.

Also new is an SVT Performance Package with all-new Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar G tires that SVT engineers worked directly with Goodyear to develop. The optional package also offers unique styling, lighter wheels, a higher rear axle ratio, and stiffer springs, and it is available on both the convertible and coupe.

Read our Ford Mustang review, and visit the autoMedia Ford Research Center for quick access to reviews, pricing, photos, and much more.

Years ago, if you had a modified car with plenty of horsepower and torque under the hood, you immediately bolted in a heavy-duty aftermarket clutch. It was the norm. Part and parcel of that clutch package was a pressure plate fitted with huge internal springs. The spring pressure was often so large, that the actual clutch linkage would bend. The vehicle firewall would often bow, flex and crack from the considerable forces. Needless to say, it was even less fun to drive. As a result, many folks simply switched to automatic transmissions and vowed to never drive a stick shift car again.

Fast forward to today. Motorsports has seen the rise of clutch-equipped vehicles. Technology slowly marched forward. A strange thing happened: Clutch assemblies actually had their respective pressures reduced. That was made possible by rather large improvements in disc materials. Soon racers discovered that multiple disc clutch assemblies could be made to work (and work rather well).  Before long, clutch assembly diameters began to shrink, some as small as 5-1/2-inches overall. Pedal pressures became smaller and smaller as well.  The clutch-equipped racecars actually became easy to drive.

And now, some of that small diameter, low pedal pressure technology is making its way into street driven vehicles. Clutch manufacturers are now copying what has happened in racing circles and are incorporating multiple disc, low-pressure technology in their street car clutches. Our “Double Clutching” article looks at these new wave multiple disc clutches. You might be surprised at how sophisticated clutches have become.

By Wayne Scraba, contributing editor, autoMedia.com

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) continues to, uh, roll out its punishing roof crush test to more vehicles with the recent small pickup truck group. The test, which significantly exceeds federal requirements, found significant variation among the group. The Nissan Frontier, also sold as the Suzuki Equator, is the only pickup in the group to earn the highest rating of good. The Ford Ranger is rated acceptable while the Dodge Dakota, Toyota Tacoma, and Chevrolet Colorado (also sold as the GMC Canyon) earn the second lowest rating of marginal.

In the Institute's roof strength test, a metal plate is pushed against one corner of a roof at a constant speed. To earn a Good rating, a roof must withstand a force of four times the vehicle's weight before reaching five inches of crush. For an acceptable rating, the minimum strength-to-weight ratio required is 3.25. A Marginal rating value is 2.5, and anything lower than that is Poor. The Frontier withstood a force of just over four times its weight. This compares with 2.9 times weight for the Colorado. A strength-to-weight ratio of four reflects an estimated 50-percent reduction in serious or fatal injury risk in single-vehicle rollover crashes, compared with the current federal standard of 1.5.

"As a group, small pickups aren't performing as well as small cars or small SUVs in all of the Institute's safety tests. None of the ones we tested is a top-notch performer across the board. In fact, no small pickup earns our Top Safety Pick award," says Institute Senior Vice President David Zuby. The Frontier came close to winning the 2010 award, but it's rated acceptable instead of good for protection against neck injury in rear crashes. To earn the coveted Top Safety Pick designation, a vehicle has to earn good ratings for protection in front, side, rear, and rollover crashes. It also has to have electronic stability control. (Read: "IIHS Names 2010 Top Safety Picks – Fewer Than Before.")

By testing vehicles to more stringent standards than the federal government, IIHS has successfully advanced vehicle safety, pushing automakers to exceed minimum legal requirements. The IIHS has turned its attention to roof crush as a new safety frontier, seeking to reduce injuries and death from rollover accidents. Today, nearly 10,000 people a year die in rollovers. Rollovers are much more common for SUVs and pickup trucks than for cars. In 2008 almost half (47 percent) of all pickup occupants killed in crashes were in trucks that rolled over. This compares with 58 percent of deaths in SUVs and 25 percent in cars.

This latest test will also provide another point of comparison for car shoppers looking for the safest vehicle in a given category. It is important to underscore the value of electronic stability control, which IIHS studies have shown can significantly reduce rollovers.

There is a bright side to every story, you just need to look hard and sometimes challenge conventions. While American motorists are being worked into a frenzy by cascading Toyota recall stories, this may be a great time to get a deep discount on a used Toyota. Resale values have taken a significant hit, as many consumers have become wary of purchasing a Toyota product. At the same time, many owners are eager to move out of their recalled model into something else. For bargain hunters, this is opportunity knocking.
 
Toyota cars have long earned a deserved reputation for quality. While the company may have made noticeable cost-cutting measures in car, leading to plain interior and hard cabin plastics, the vehicles hold up well for many years of trouble-free operation. Survey after survey bears this out. The only difference between the Toyota cars today, versus last year, is fear. They are the same cars. And the problems may not be as great as head-turning headlines suggest.

We have covered the recall stories here in the autoMedia Auto News Blog.

For a quick refresher course and reality check, there are two main recalls: the extended floor mat entrapment recall and the latest sticky pedal recall. (The investigation continues on the 2010 Toyota Prius, but the reality there is that Toyota already discovered the issue and implemented a rolling production fix. It would be near-effortless to update already built models. It just has to figure out how to manage that without further damaging its tarnished reputation.)

Extended floor mat entrapment: The vehicles included in this recall have unintended acceleration risks due to too little clearance under the accelerator pedal. The long-term solution is that dealerships will replace the pedal itself in the spring. Short-term, just take the floor mat out. Really, that’s all. Dealerships have been trained how to cut some material off the bottom of the pedals, until the replacements become available. The dangers are real, as there have been documented accidents and deaths.

Sticking accelerator: This is a progressive wear issue that becomes worse over time, exacerbated by moisture. Symptoms include a pedal reluctant to return to its resting position. Most owners will never experience a problem, and the stamp-like shim for the recall fix is now at your local dealerships. Thus far, accidents are not attributed to this problem.

So, if you’re willing to deal with bringing a vehicle in for a free recall servicing and possibly live without a driver-side floor mat until the work can be performed, now may be the time to buy.

If you’re tempted to shop a Toyota, browse our exhaustive used car marketplace. There are current more than 1.4 million cars listed, including 94,000 Toyotas.

To help guide your bargain hunting, check out our Toyota Research Center, with quick access to pricing, photos, reviews, and more.

Subaru has become the Baskin-Robbins of AWD, with more choices and flavors than any other brand. Subaru is expanding its WRX choices with a new Limited model, positioned above the Premium model. The four-door WRX Limited will be priced at $28,495 while the five-door model will be priced at $28,995.

The Limited models are priced $1,000 more than the Premium models, and they add High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, Sirius satellite radio, and leather-trimmed seats.

This now has the both the Impreza hatchback and sedan ranges starting at $17,495 and peaking with this new Limited model. Destination charges add $695. Across that spectrum, the Impreza moves from affordable, refined AWD transport up to sportster GT, and downright exhilarating with the 265-horsepower WRX variations.

Read our Subaru WRX review, and visit the autoMedia Subaru Research Center for quick access to reviews, pricing, photos, and much more.

In the latest news of the obvious, Toyota consideration and interest has dramatically dropped since the company recently announced its massive recall. More than 20 percent of those who said they were considering a Toyota prior to the recall now say they no longer are considering the brand for their next vehicle purchase. In addition, Toyota's overall brand consideration dropped to third-place and now trails its domestic rivals, first-place Ford and second-place Chevrolet, according to the latest Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence data.

However, car shoppers seem confident that Toyota will eventually rebound from this recall crisis. More than 30 percent of those surveyed said that Toyota is currently experiencing a challenge, but will offer better products in the future. In addition, 28 percent said that Toyota has had fewer recalls than other manufacturers, and the current recall does not change the fact that they produce great products.

So despite its current troubles, the public expects the giant automaker, known until recently as the paragon of quality, to reclaim a leadership position once it addresses its recall crisis. In the meantime, now may be a great time to get a bargain on a used Toyota.

Visit the autoMedia Toyota Research Center, for quick access to pricing, photos, reviews, and more.

February is here, and still the biggest headlines include the words "Toyota," and "recall." We've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather all the other highlights from each so you can stay informed of everything that's happening in the automotive world.


Toyota leads the headlines this week for the most reports on the internet about the company's ongoing recall woes. Once best known for quality, reliability, and fuel efficiency, Toyota is now is under public scrutiny and experiencing a major crisis in reputation and finances. Talk in the industry indicates the current costs of repairs for the Sudden Unintended Acceleration recall  could escalate to nearly a billion dollars, and as much as $54 million per day in lost revenue. Commentary on the situation is running rampant, and has been exacerbated by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's suggestion that owners of recalled Toyotas should stop driving their cars.  (LaHood later retracted his statement, with additional explanation that Toyota owners should take their cars to dealers for repairs).

LeftLaneNews reports that a ruling is expected soon on a court case that would reveal thousands of documents allegedly showing Toyota covered up and destroyed evidence during several safety-related lawsuits.

Motor Trend has a detailed chronology of the entire crisis, and  for everything else you ever wanted to know about the Toyota repair (but were afraid to ask), cruise over to Jalopnik to review the official technical service bulletin.

On top of the SUA problem, NHTSA is also currently investigating the 2010 Toyota Prius for allegations of momentary loss of braking capability while traveling over an uneven road surface, pothole, or bump. 

Meanwhile, in acts of ruthless but savvy marketing, Chrysler, Ford, GM, and Hyundai are moving in for the kill by offering sales and lease incentives to Toyota owners who want to trade in their cars for a safer domestic brand. 

And just when the words "braking" and "recall" have become associated with Toyota, Consumer Reports announces that Ford has instituted its own "Customer Satisfaction Program 10B13,"  a free brake-system software fix on Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrids made on or before October 17, 2009. Apparently, electronic interference can sometimes cause the electronic brake-by-wire module to switch itself off temporarily. In such instances, braking reverts to a backup conventional hydraulic mode that preserves braking capability. While the bug has not yet caused any crashes or injuries, owners of these vehicles should check with their dealer to schedule a repair. In the meantime, The Detroit Bureau  reports that January sales figures indicate Ford Motor Company has ousted Toyota from the Number Two spot in U.S. Sales. Not only that, but AutomoBlog  reports Ford hybrid sales are up 147% over 2008.

AutoBlog's weekly Greenlings column explores the differences in vehicle ratings, explaining the definition of "light-duty truck" - while it might not make much sense to some of us, there is a reason why automakers are putting some very untrucklike vehicles into the light-truck category. You probably guessed that it has something to do with fuel mileage regulations...

It's been almost a month since the catastophic earthquake in Haiti, but don't think the devastation being experienced there has faded much. The automotive industry has extended generous aid in a variety of ways: some manufacturers have created corporate giving campaigns, NASCAR teams have donated three aircraft to bring supplies and support,   and TheCarConnection reports that The General Motors Foundation is donating 30 GMC Sierra pickups to the relief efforts in Haiti. Want to make a donation of your own? Check here for a variety of tips to provide help to Haiti.


As a car fan, my primary purpose for watching the Super Bowl is actually to watch the automotive related advertising. Want a sneak peak on what you'll be seeing during Sunday's big game? Then check out the Car Commercial preview here at Automopedia.

And with that selection of VW, Audi, Hyundai, Cars.com, and Danica Patrick Go-Daddy commercials to tide you over til Super Bowl Sunday, we thank you for joining us for this week's CARnival! Have you got something of interest you want us to include in a future carnival? Then fill out our online form  so we can be notified of your interesting entry to our weekly blog CAR-nival. Check back next week for another installment!

Brandy Schaffels, autoMedia.com contributing editor

Toyota can't catch a break. The automaker known for quality, reliability, and fuel efficiency is under the federal microscope for alleged problems with the braking system on the 2010 Prius. After reports surfaced in Japan, the U.S. media and safety advocates turned their energy away from the sticking accelerator recall to look at this halo green machine.

Under external pressure, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it is opening a formal investigation to look into allegations of momentary loss of braking capability while traveling over an uneven road surface, pothole, or bump. The agency received more than 100 consumer complaints, including four claiming that crashes occurred. Investigators have spoken with consumers and conducted pre-investigatory field work.

"Safety is our top priority," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "That is why in recent weeks NHTSA has also issued a consumer advisory on the recall of several models of Toyota vehicles and the Pontiac Vibe involving pedal entrapment and sticky accelerator pedals. We will continue to monitor these issues closely." The timing is bad for Toyota, as it prepares to face a formal hearing in Washington, D.C. next week over its recent safety woes. Toyota released a statement in reaction to the NHTSA move:

"Some customers have complained of inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady application of brakes on rough or slick road surfaces when the anti-lock brake system (ABS) is activated in an effort to maintain tire traction.  The system, in normal operation, engages and disengages rapidly (many times per second) as the control system senses and reacts to tire slippage. A running production change was introduced last month, improving the ABS system's response time, as well as the system's overall sensitivity to tire slippage."

Conceivably, Toyota could issue a recall to update the software in cars sold prior to the running factory change, and all will be good.

Related story: Toyota Announces Pedal Fix Heading to Dealers Now 

Chevrolet has released a video announcing the launch of a new Internet series featuring their quality control engineers from Department 180. Click here to see the short clip, which features a collection of real engineers freezing, heating, crashing cars, and performance testing their products -- and having a great time of it.

Not many of us have to worry about the winter weather freezing our cars solid, or summer's extreme heat baking them into pizza ovens, but it's good to know that Chevrolet's engineers are subjecting their vehicles to all kinds of creative testing -- all for the sake of higher quality cars. Those wacky technicians even throw in a few fake tests just for fun, so if you think those big-brained technical engineers have boring jobs, you're going to have a different opinion after watching this video!

As General Motors embraces the broad reach of interactive media, they're finding new ways to reach their target audience. As part of that, this video includes a secret code at the end, and if you use your mobile device to download a photo of the Chevy beetagg (right),  you can be privy to a secret information at Chevrolet's mobile site.

You can also keep up with the video series by subscribing to Chevrolet's page at YouTube.

by Brandy Schaffels, autoMedia.com contributing editor

Hyundai Motor America has announced prices for its sixth-generation 2011 Sonata sedan. The entry GLS model starts at $19,195 and boasts best-in-class 35 highway miles per gallon from its 2.4-liter/198 horsepower four-cylinder direct-injection engine. The 200-horsepower SE model starts at $22,595; the top-of-the-line Limited model begins at $25,295 and tops out at $27,395 when equipped with Navigation.

Hyundai positions the all-new Sonata against the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, Nissan Altima, and Chevrolet Malibu, but strives to measure its luxury features against vehicles from Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus.

"With the 2011 Sonata, our focus was a no-compromise engineering approach that would allow Sonata owners to have their cake, and eat it too. That focus led to a set of attributes that have not been seen in the midsize car category - attributes such as 35 mpg and 200 horsepower, bold design and an EPA Large Car interior, world-class quality and a class-leading value position" said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president and CEO.

Hyundai's Sonata will be the first vehicle in its segment with advanced touchscreen navigation available on all trim levels. Adding Popular Equipment Package + Navigation makes the Sonata GLS the lowest priced midsize sedan with navigation.

The 2011 Sonata also claims exceptional standard safety features six airbags, including front driver and passenger airbags, front seat side impact and curtain airbags, Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control System, Antilock Braking System with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, front active head restraints, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, and a Bluetooth hands-free phone system.

Additionally, Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program  which now includes the 5-year/60,000 mile fully transferable bumper-to-bumper warranty, Hyundai's 10- year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty and 5-year complimentary Roadside Assistance, in addition to their popular vehicle return policy.

By Brandy Schaffels, autoMedia.com contributing editor
 

The numbers are in, and there is a dramatic difference between the car sales winners and losers for January, 2010. The most significant observation is that 21 brands saw a sales increase when comparing January 2010 to January 2009. That alone is worth celebration.

Mercedes-Benz wins the award for most improved, with a 45 percent gain for 15,158 vehicles total sold. Buick nipped at the German automaker’s heels with a 44 percent gain (10,061). Volvo rounds to 42 percent (4,128), with the imminent sale to Chinese-automaker Geely having only a positive effect on the bottom line.

Volkswagen makes good on its boasts to dramatically increase volume with a 41 percent gain (18,019), year on year, followed by Audi at 38 percent (6,510).

Two companies that soldiered bravely through a year of auto crisis remain strong, with Subaru showing 28 percent (15,611) and Hyundai 24 percent (30,503).

Some American brands fared well, with Chevrolet at 36 percent (105,294) and Ford 26 percent (99,888). The newfound momentum from these core brands should continue as they launch impressive, new products such as the Chevy Aveo, Cruze, and Orlando, as well as the Ford Fiesta, Focus, and later the Explorer.

Nissan also deserves a nod with a notable 20 percent gain (55,861).

Other brands with positive results include Lincoln (16 percent), GMC (11%), Mini (8%), Porsche (8%), BMW (8%), Mercury (6%), Lexus (5%), Land Rover (4%), Mazda (2%), Dodge (1%), and Kia (a whisker).

This brings us to, well, the losers. The greatest year-on-year decline was seen with discontinued GM brands, Pontiac (95 percent) and Saturn (91 percent). Trendy, pocket-size Smart took a hard hit at 84 percent, selling just 278 cars. Hummer tanked with a 78-percent decline. Saab was there with a 46-percent drop, moving just 511 cars.

Suzuki dropped 44 percent (2,040), despite introducing the promising Kizashi sedan.

Toyota brand was down 19 percent (83,279), taking a hard hit late in the month with widespread news of its latest safety-related recall and voluntary sales halt. As a corporation, sales were down 16 percent.

At the corporate level, Ford Motor Company was the big winner, with a 25 percent increase. Nissan was next with 16 percent, followed by General Motors at 14 percent.

Chrysler Group dropped 8 percent, despite the good news shared by the other domestic companies, pointing to challenges ahead. The new Jeep Grand Cherokee should help in the spring, but it will be a long time before notable, new models arrive on the scene. A new Dodge Charger should help bring some good publicity, and interior updates to several models can’t hurt, but a real boost to the product line appears to be quite distant.

In total, the January sales figures show many positive signs for the industry and the economy in general. Next month, we’ll see what the full impact of the Toyota recall has been, both in lost sales and conquests by competitors.

Visit the autoMedia New Car Research Center for quick access to reviews, pricing, photos, and much more.

Automakers are announcing January 2010 sales figures and the year is starting off very well for Volkswagen. The company reported today a 41.4 percent increase in units sold over January 2009. “We are pleased by the strong start to 2010,” said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Office of Volkswagen of America, Inc. “It’s encouraging to see so many of Volkswagen’s newest models continuing to gain momentum in the marketplace—namely the CC, Tiguan, Golf and GTI.”

VW’s January 2010 sales success is no surprise considering the many accolades the company has received over the last year.

• 2010 Volkswagen Golf: Safest Car of 2009 awarded by EuroNCAP
• 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel Engine: One of Ward’s 10 Best Engine winners for 2010
• 2010 VW Jetta, Golf, Passat and Tiguan: All Top Safety Pick winners from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
• 2010 Volkswagen GTI: Automobile of the Year awarded by Automobile Magazine
• 2010 VW Golf TDI: Finalist for 2010 Green Car of the Year
• 2010 Volkswagen Golf/GTI: Finalist for 2010 North American Car of the Year

Read autoMedia’s review of the 2010 Volkswagen Golf/GTI, and review other VW models in our Volkswagen Research Center and our Volkswagen news blog.

—Deborah Neal, Editorial Director, autoMedia.com

This morning, Toyota announced that is has a correction for the sticking accelerator pedals that have lead to the recent, high-profile recall, and the parts are on their way to dealers nationwide. The company expects service centers will receive these parts late in the week. (Read: "Toyota Moving Ahead With Accelerator Pedal Fix.")

The fix is a piece that reinforces the pedal assembly in a manner that eliminates the excess friction that has caused the pedals to stick in rare instances.  In addition, Toyota has developed an effective solution for vehicles in production. Many Toyota dealers will work extended hours to complete the recall campaign as quickly and conveniently as possible, some even staying open 24 hours a day.
 
“Nothing is more important to us than the safety and reliability of the vehicles our customers drive,” said Jim Lentz, president and Chief Operating Officer, TMS.  “We deeply regret the concern that our recalls have caused for our customers and we are doing everything we can – as fast as we can – to make things right.  Stopping production is never an easy decision, but we are 100% confident it was the right decision.  We know what’s causing the sticking accelerator pedals, and we know what we have to do to fix it.  We also know it is most important to fix this problem in the cars on the road.”
 
Lentz added: “We are focused on making this recall as simple and trouble-free as possible, and will work day and night with our dealers to fix recalled vehicles quickly.  We want to demonstrate that our commitment to safety is as high as ever and that our commitment to our customers is unwavering.”
 
Toyota vehicles affected by the recall include:

• Certain 2009-2010 RAV4
• Certain 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2009-2010 Matrix
• 2005-2010 Avalon
• Certain 2007-2010 Camry
• Certain 2010 Highlander
• 2007-2010 Tundra
• 2008-2010 Sequoia

 
No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are affected by these actions.  Also not affected are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Highlander hybrids and certain Camry models, including Camry hybrids, all of which remain for sale.
 
Further, Camry, RAV4, Corolla and Highlander vehicles with Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) that begin with "J" are not affected by the accelerator pedal recall.
 
For more information, visit: www.toyota.com/recall or call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

See our previous report: "Toyota Expands Recalls, Makes Progress With Parts."

Also read:
Toyota Recalls 2.3 Million Vehicles For Sticking Accelerator
Toyota Announces Unintended Acceleration Fix
NHTSA Sets Record Straight; Toyota Investigation Not Over
NHTSA Says No Defect In Recalled Toyota, Lexus Vehicles
Toyota, Lexus Floor Mat Saga Continues with NHTSA Insights
Toyota, Lexus Recalling 3.8 Million Vehicles to Inspect Floor Mats

Honda is recalling about 650,000 Fit/Jazz and City cars worldwide to address a window switch blamed for a child’s death, according to a Reuters report. The cars are spread throughout the world, including 141,000 in the United States. Japanese cars are not included.

The Fits recalled in the U.S. are the 2007 and 2008 model years. Neither the Honda media site nor National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) SaferCar.gov sites list information on this action.

On a related note, Honda has told its dealers:

Toyota's recall, while serious, has no impact whatsoever on Honda or Acura customers.

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., is not aware of any reports for either Honda or Acura vehicles, regarding the type of failure Toyota is citing as the cause for its recall. Additionally, while we use the same supplier as Toyota for some of our products (as do other manufacturers), we do not use the same components.

As this issue relates to one of our competitors, we will not be making any further comment regarding Toyota's circumstances. Additionally, we will not react in a predatory way toward either Toyota or Toyota customers.

Clearly not all brands feel the same about “predatory” actions, as Chrysler, Ford, GM, and Hyundai all have incentive plans in place that target Toyota owners. And Ford has extended its plan to Honda owners, as well.

The automotive industry is clearly a dog-eat-dog business.

Visit the autoMedia Honda Research Center for quick access to reviews, pricing, photos, and much more.

Read our 2007 Honda Fit and 2009 Honda Fit reviews.