NHTSA may investigate Grand Cherokees over fuel-tank fire hazard

The Jeep Grand Cherokee from the 1993 to 2004 model years may be investigated by federal safety regulators after a complaint that its fuel tank is an exposed fire hazard that may have contributed to hundreds of deaths. Last month the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety complained that the SUV's fuel tank extends below the rear bumper and is inadequately protected from crashes and rollovers. The vehicle's fuel filler neck also tears off in crashes, said the center's petition for an investigation and recall.

GM makes select OnStar services free

General Motors said on Wednesday that it will make unlocking doors, activating horn and lights, and remote start on equipped vehicles standard with its OnStar RemoteLink Mobile App for 2014 vehicles, even if owners decline to pay for other OnStar services. More than 36 Buicks, Cadillacs, GMC and Chevy models are compatible with the app. GM says it gets more than 60,000 requests from forgetful drivers each month, asking for door-unlock assistance, “so it makes sense for us to offer RemoteLink key-fob services to enable customers to lock, unlock or start their vehicle from anywhere they have a wireless or cellular connection,” said Mary Chan, president GM global connected-consumer business unit.

New Toyota Avenis (2012) at Frankfurt plus new Prius family and 2012 Yaris

2012 Toyota Avensis - teased ahead of Frankfurt 2011 As Frankfurt draws close its Toyota’s turn to reveal their 2011 offerings at the show, which will include the 2012 facelift Toyota Avensis. The new Avensis is the only Toyota at Frankfurt we haven’t already seen, and Toyota hasn’t done much more than send us the teaser photo you see at the top. But we do know Toyota re claiming the 2012 Avensis is the ‘Most expensive mid-life facelift’ they have ever undertaken.