Oliver Schmidt, a German citizen and former Volkswagen manager in Michigan, was sentenced on Wednesday to seven years in prison and a $400,00 fine for his part in the diesel emissions tests scandals.
Most of those suspected of conspiring to defraud United States regulators are out of reach of American justice in Germany, which normally does not extradite its own citizens. After being transferred back to Germany, he and his wife came to the United States for a vacation and was seized as he waited for a departing flight in Miami.
Before imposing the sentence, Judge Sean F. Cox admonished Mr. Schmidt for his actions and described him as a crucial figure in a wide-ranging plot. “You are a key conspirator responsible for the cover-up in the United States of a massive fraud perpetuated on the American consumer,” the judge said at the end of the nearly two-hour hearing.
Read the original article at The New York Times.
GM's Marketplace will bring convenience to drivers, reduce the probability of distracted driving and enhance profitability to the automaker.
Motorists driving late-model General Motors vehicles will be able to order coffee or food from several popular fast food chains, such as Starbucks, locate a nearby gas station, even make dinner or hotel reservations using the Priceline service with just the tap of a button on their vehicle's touchscreen.
"The average American spends 46 minutes per day on the road driving,” said Santiago Chamorro, vice president for global connected customer experience at GM. “We have an opportunity to make every trip more productive and give our customers time back.”
Read the original article at The Detroit Bureau.
MetroGistics Holdings has announced the acquisition of Metro Title Services, based in Lenexa, Kansas, the national leader in title and registration services to the fleet industry and auto dealers.
Along with the acquisition earlier this year of AmeriFleet, this latest development expands MetroGistics’ reach, market share, processing power and technology solutions for fleet management companies and other clients.
MetroGistics is now better positioned as a one-stop shop offering world-class vehicle lifecycle services from OEM manufacture through service to remarketing and disposal.
European Transit Safety Counci
All new cars sold in Europe should be equipped with a range of life-saving technologies including automated emergency braking, intelligent speed assistance and seatbelt reminders in all seats, the European Parliament stated.
Read more of the original article at The European Transit Safety Council.
Yes, this is a season of joy. And of friends and family. But it’s also a season of stress -- and it's a great season for staying calm. So, enjoy yourselves in this season - but remember to take those deep breaths when you need to!
Speaking of Staying Calm, that is definitely a great way that you can help your clients — as Laura Jozwiak articulates so beautifully in her column this week.
Another great piece of content this issue that I recommend you check out: Four Proactive Steps for Fleet Safety Program Success, by Chris Villella. (Also, speaking of safety, please stay safe while you’re staying calm!)
Are You Marketing to Fleet Professionals in 2018? Do You Need to Show ROI for Your Efforts?
If the answer is yes, then please consider our Content Marketing & Advertising options. We’re gentle on your fleet marketing budget and we will work with you to tailor just the right program that gets results you need. You can get more information here, and don’t hesitate to email me directly.
Ted Roberts
President and Chief Content Officer