10 Biggest Auto Industry Stories of 2014
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.
Ford’s Transit Van Continues E-Series’ Success
Ford Motor Co.'s new Transit is wasting no time replacing the automaker's E-Series as the nation's best-selling full-size cargo van.
More than 4,800 Transits were purchased in November as the van outsold the venerable E-Series, the Chevrolet Express and all other competitors for the first time. Since its June launch, Ford has sold more than 10,000 Transits that have become everything from food trucks and mobile offices to medical service vehicles and party buses.
"We're really excited to see Transit take over in such a big way — and so quickly," said Yaro Hetman, Transit brand manager. "We had no plans at all to let down on our leadership in the van segment."
Ford's E-Series has been the best-selling commercial van in the U.S. for 34 straight years, but Ford is replacing it with a Transit — popular for years in Europe — that offers more engine, style and size choices.
All Subaru Models Receive IIHS Top Safety Pick (TSP) For 2015
Subaru of America, Inc. announced that all seven 2015 Subaru models; the Legacy, Outback, Forester, BRZ, WRX/STI, Impreza and XV Crosstrek, have earned 2015 Top Safety Pick awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Subaru is the only manufacturer with IIHS Top Safety Picks for all models for six years running (2010-2015).
Furthermore, five of the seven vehicles also earn 2015 Top Safety Pick+ status; Subaru Forester, Legacy, Outback, Impreza, and XV Crosstrek, when equipped with optional EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology.
Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) is the highest standard of safety the Institute can award and the 2015 Subaru Legacy, Outback, Forester, Impreza and XV Crosstrek were awarded the highest possible rating of "Superior" for front crash prevention. When equipped with the optional EyeSight, these five 2015 models also earned 6 of 6 points for front crash prevention.
California Puzzles Over Safety of Driverless Cars
California's Department of Motor Vehicles will miss a year-end deadline to adopt new rules for cars of the future because regulators first have to figure out how they'll know whether "driverless" vehicles are safe.
It's a rare case of the law getting ahead of an emerging technology and reflects regulators' struggle to balance consumer protection with innovation.
Safety is a chief selling point, since self-driving cars — thanks to an array of sensors — promise to have much greater road awareness and quicker reaction time than people. Plus, they won't text, drink or doze off.
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