For the automotive industry, 2014 was the year of the recall.
During harsh Congressional hearings, the world learned more about the inner workings of the ignition switches of cars and trucks than ever before as GM’s new CEO, Mary Barra, was forced to explain a flawed corporate culture that the company thought it had left behind.
General Motors’ recall led all automakers to reassess their safety processes, and the industry is on track to easily surpass 1999, when automakers recalled a record 55.6 million cars and trucks.
But there were other big stories in the automotive industry in 2014 as well.
Below are the 10 biggest stories of the year, as viewed by the Detroit Free Press.
1. GM ignition-switch recall
2. Barra becomes CEO
3. Ford’s aluminum F-150 pickup
4. Fiat Chrysler consolidation
5. UAW organizing progress
6. Takata air bag recall
7. Fields becomes CEO
8. U.S. auto industry sales continue to rise
9. Tesla hype
10. Year of the crossover
Read the original story in the Detroit Free Press for all the details.