Volkswagen launches Car-Net in-car assistance system

Volkswagen has launched an in-car assistance system which will offer a number of convenience and diagnostic features. Not too dissimilar from some other systems already on the market -- such as BMW Assist, Mercedes-Benz'sMbrace, and GM's On-Star -- VW's system will offer roadside assistance, service appointment scheduling, and automatic crash notification. The latter triggers a call from the vehicle to a Car-Net customer specialist when the airbags in the car are deployed, which will then connect the occupants with a local public safety answering point, which can send emergency vehicles to the scene if needed.

Volvo halts production of Electric cars & question EU’s CO2 & EV targets

The Volvo C30 EV won't be going in to production Volvo has decided it will not put the C30 electric Car in to production and has called on the EU to address CO2 and EV targets. Just as many other car makers are doing, Volvo has had a small fleet of electric test cars plodding round the roads to see what they’re capable of in the real world, in Volvo’s case a fleet of electric C30s. But Volvo has decided that a production version of the C30 EV is a futile project and has revealed they will not be making a production version.

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.