Antitrust Alliance: Large-scale parts price-fixing class action nets $78 million for settlement distribution
Toronto, Ontario — A class action lawsuit involving four law firms from across Canada has managed to rack up $78 million to be distributed as settlement to the victims of an auto parts price-fixing conspiracy, according to a Wednesday press release. Siskinds LLP, Sotos LLP, Camp Fiorante Matthews Mogerman LLP (CFM) and Siskinds Desmeules s.e.n.c.r.l. […]
Securing Your Cargo: Rear-seat safety lags behind in IIHS small pickup crash testing
Toronto, Ontario — Small pickups are the latest vehicle class to fall short when it comes to protecting backseat passengers, as a recent IIHS crash testing session would show, with not a single of the five trucks tested earning a grade of “Good”. The Nissan Frontier fared the best, achieving an “Acceptable” rating, following another […]
Inflated Ego: ARC Automotive questions NHTSA jurisdiction, basis of request for inflator recall
Toronto, Ontario — After rejecting a request from the NHTSA in May to recall its 67 million airbag inflators from circulation, ARC Automotive has doubled down, accusing the administration of stepping out of its lane to assert demands. Last Friday, representatives from ARC offered their side of the story to the Associated Press, alleging that […]
Access Denied: Mass. right to repair law in dispute as NHTSA, senators clash over data security
Washington, D.C. — A pair of U.S. senators are aiming their federal auto regulator, as Massachusetts’ Edward J. Markey and Elizabeth Warren recently called out the NHTSA for a letter it sent to automakers asking them to ignore the state’s right to repair legislation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) alleged in its June […]
More for Less: Autoliv unveils Bernoulli Airbag system built on larger bags, but smaller inflators
Toronto, Ontario — Tier 1 airbag developer Autoliv recently unveiled an airbag system for a new era, built around meeting the needs of both modern electric vehicles, as well as safety and environmental sustainability. Many modern vehicle designs, especially those of electric models, feature roomier and more open interiors than in years past. This presents […]
A Smarter Assistant: Mercedes-Benz launches ChatGPT-powered voice assistant beta in U.S.
Toronto, Ontario — If ChatGPT hasn’t come across your newsfeed enough recently, Mercedes-Benz announced last week a beta program where drivers can try out a new in-car AI assistant, powered by OpenAI’s groundbreaking software. Where many current voice assistant features are limited to a predefined library of understood phrases and responses, vehicle’s equipped with the […]
AI Intern: Toyota unveils generative AI vehicle design process
Toronto, Ontario — The emerging industry for generative AI software is making its way into OEM vehicle design, as Toyota unveiled Tuesday a new AI-powered process that allows its designers to create multiple versions of a vehicle prototype within minutes. Toyota engineers and designers are now able to simply draw the desired body lines of […]
Snitching for Safety: OEM whistleblowers protected, rewarded in new NHTSA rules proposal
Toronto, Ontario — In an effort to incentivize safety and good faith among automakers, the U.S.’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) put forth a set of rules last Wednesday that aim to protect and reward OEM whistleblowers. This proposed rulemaking on the part of the NHTSA intends to outline more concrete implementations of the […]
No T-bone Zone: Nissan unveils ADAS tech to detect lateral hazards at intersections
Toronto, Ontario — A new piece of LiDAR-based technology from Nissan is aiming to prevent collisions and keep drivers safe, even in the middle of an intersection, as a video unveiled by the company earlier this month would show. A Nissan vehicle is shown travelling down a test track, toward an intersection—suddenly a motorcycle comes […]
Illinois Linkup: Speakers announced for CIECA CONNEX 2023 Conference
Bloomington, Illinois — The speakers for the CIECA CONNEX 2023 Conference have been announced, and will be tackling the theme of “Connected Car, Connected Industry” this time around. Running the gamut of automotive technology expertise, this year’s conference will feature talks from Rivian’s senior collision manager, Frank Phillips, his counterpart at Lucid Motors, Jake Rodenroth, […]
