PONTIAC OFFICIALLY UNVEILS THE G3 FOR AMERICA

Back in June AutoEnergy went ahead and discussed the fuel economy of the Pontiac G3; contrasting it with the more efficient Toyota Yaris. At that point, the Pontiac G3 was just a Wave north of the border. Now General Motors has decided that the United States wants a "sporty" and fuel efficient hatchback?

Sporty? Is the Chevrolet Aveo sporty? This, my friends, is the same car.

Sales in this segment were up 33% during the first half of 2008. Naturally, Pontiac dealers wanted in on the fun. Their most recent new car makes headlines for its Aussie-good looks and heft V8 engine, not exactly representing the kind of fuel efficiency young buyers are looking for these days.

Pontiac will supply the G3 and some people will be interested. For interest's sake, do remember the Pontiac G5, a Chevrolet Cobalt sibling that actually outperforms the G3 at the pump. Here's the photo gallery.

'08 & '09 DODGE CHALLENGER FACES RECALL FOR THEFT PREVENTION ISSUES

What a beast, that new Dodge Challenger. With a platform donated by Mercedes-Benz, via the Magnum; Charger; and 300, Chrysler translated the ancient Challenger's looks into a modern masterpiece fit for most any muscle car lover. But apparently NHTSA has a problem with the 2008 and 2009 Challenger; at least those equipped with an automatic transmission and keyless go. We'll let the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explain.

Check out other recent NHTSA Recalls with a click right here

"If the stop start button is pressedand held and the engine turns off, the electronic key code is removed from the vehicle. Since this can occur in a transmission or gear selector position other than "park", and the transmission or gear selector does not become locked in "park" as a direct result of key removal, it was determined that a noncompliance may exist."

Why does NHTSA care?

"This standard specifies vehicle performance requirements intended to reduce the incidence of crashes resulting from theft and accidental rollaway of motor vehicles."

Which standars are they talking about? That would be Federal motor vehicle safety standard #114 for theft prevention.

So, obviously something needs to be done. Each of the 6,636 Dodge Challengers will be reprogammed; the wireless ignition node module to be specific. That way, "the engine can only be turned off when the transmission and gear selector is in the 'park' position."

2009 NISSAN ALTIMA RECALLED FOR BAD 16" WHEELS

About a month ago, the 2008 Nissan Altima faced a small Recall for front suspension troubles. Now it's 2009 Altima's turn for a small recall. 

NHTSA and Nissan figure only 3,403 Altimas could be affected by 16" wheels that weren't manufactured to specificatiion. The end result could be lug nuts coming loose. Lug nuts come loose; so will your wheel. 

Dealers will know straight away if your '09 Altima is one of the 3,403. Obviously, your Nissan Altima would be fitted with new wheels that were correctly manufactured. Nissan's hotline is 1-800-647-7261.

2008 JEEP LIBERTY RECALL FOR WINDSHIELD PROBLEMS

A certain batch of 2008 Jeep Libertys was put together with a batch of urethane adhesive that may not have been correct for the windshield and rear quarter glass. Obviously this presents a scenario where the adhesive gives way; and the windshield vacates the vicinity.

See other NHTSA Recalls by clicking right here

For the 494 Jeeps involved, dealers will replace the windshield and/or fixed rear quarter glass. Contact with customers is expected to begin this month, but if curiosity has you bent on discovering if your Jeep Liberty windshield isn't quite stuck in place, contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

MITSUBISHI RECALL AFFECTS FUEL TANK STRAP ON ECLIPSE, ENDEAVOR, AND GALANT FROM 2005-2007

Due to improper forming during the metal stamping process, the straps at the left rear portion of fuel tanks underneat 45,988 Mitsubishis could be compromised.

NHTSA says there could be "a split in the area where the bolt that holds one of the two fuel tank straps to the underside of the vehicle is located. In the event the fuel tank is full and the vehicle is subject to a severe collision, the bracket may break and allow the fuel tank to drop down, possibly causing a fuel leak."

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Vehicles with moderate to severe splitting will be repaired with a reinforcement cap, a special structural adhesive and a rivet to reinforce the fuel tank mounting bracket. Vehicles affected include the 2005-2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse, the 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, the 2005-2007 Mitsubishi Endeavor, and the 2005-2007 Mitsubishi Galant. It is interesting to note that Mitsubishi and NHTSA did not agree to repairing vehicles unless the splitting is beyond a specific limit. Remember that if for future reference.

2008 & 2009 SCION XB RECALL - JUST 64 OF 'EM

80% of American Toyota purchasers bought or leased their Toyota from Toyota last year. The other 20% did too..... kind of. Southeast Toyota Distributors is the world's largest franchise distributor of Toyota vehicles with 172 dealers in the - wait for it - southeastern United States.

So while this Recall may be somewhat convoluted, fret not. Only 64 iterations of the Scion xB fall under its banner. The problem relates to parts sold by STD that fail to comply with the Feds safety standards for hood latching. Vehicles with these grilles will be fitted with additional clips to maintain the secure latching of the hood and radiator grilles. Wonderful.

Southeast Toyota has a number set up to deal with any confusion surrounding this recall of the 2008 and 2009 Scion xB. 1-800-301-6859.

RICK WAGONER SAYS VOLT TECHNOLOGY IS THE SOLUTION FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS

Don't be fooled by your own reverse psychology. The reason the press pays so much attention to Paris Hilton or Spears' return to the MTV Awards is counter-intuitive. Media attention poured out on the Chevrolet Volt makes complete sense.

No other major automobile manufacturer is as ready to mass-produce plug-in hybrids (or electric vehicles with range extenders as General Motors likes to say) as the Detroit conglomerate known as The General. Badges as a Chevrolet and likely to be priced above every car in its range except the Corvette, the Volt is powered by electricity, and gas if need be. Under electric power, there'll be 150 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. There's not much wonder then that GM's boss, Rick Wagoner, speaks with such strong hyperbole. The question is, are Wagoner's statements in this YouTube clip really all that hyperbolicious? Have a listen.