BMW recalls X1 SUV due to weak B-pillar
The BMW X1 xDrive28i and BMW X1 M35i SUVs may perform poorly in crash impacts. December 21, 2024 — The BMW X1 B-pillar recall affects more than 3,300 SUVs, but BMW is still working on how to fix the problem. The recall is for 2025 BMW X1 xDrive28i and BMW X1 M35i vehicles, whose left and right B-pillar reinforcement plates may not be strong enough. This can cause big problems when crashing. The problem was discovered on September 23 when a BMW X1's B-pillar reinforcement plate was discovered to be cracked at an assembly plant. BMW worked with the supplier to determine that the supplier had used substandard materials. BMW said it was not aware of any crashes or injuries related to the weak B-pillar. Engineers are working on a recall remedy, but owners can expect to receive a BMW X1 recall letter by the end of 2024 or shortly thereafter. BMW X1 owners can call 800-525-7417.
U.S. container imports seasonally weak in November 2024
Descartes Systems Group, a global leader in allied logistics-intensive business enterprises, has released its December Global Shipping Report for logistics and supply chain professionals. In November 2024, U.S. container imports fell 5% from October 2024, consistent with the seasonal decline in previous years, but smaller than the 9% decline in the same period in 2023. Imports from China also fell, although November volumes were 13.3% higher than the same month in 2023, underscoring the continued strength of U.S.-China trade. Descartes Monitor's December update of logistics indicators continues to show strong performance for container imports in 2024; however, the potential imposition of new tariffs by the incoming Trump administration, the impasse in ILA/USMX contract negotiations, and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East may affect global supply The chain brings the remaining pressure throughout the year. Also read: US container imports increase for third consecutive month in September 2024 U.S. container imports in November were 2,368,758 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), falling…
$1.7 Billion Ford Truck Roof Collapse Verdict: Ford Unveils New Model
The Georgia Court of Appeals granted Ford permission to proceed with a new truck roof crush trial, Hill v. Ford. November 5, 2024 — Ford truck roof crush lawsuit (hill v. ford) led a Georgia jury in awarding $1.7 billion to a family whose husband and wife were killed in a rollover accident. But now the entire case is set to be heard again, with the Georgia Court of Appeals agreeing to give Ford a new trial. Ford appealed the baffling $1.7 billion verdict, saying the trial court made several errors that Ford said put it at an unfair legal disadvantage. The appeals court also argued several issues, Includes the meaning of "wearing a seat belt." The Ford roof collapse lawsuit blames Ford for the 2014 deaths of Melvin Hill, 74, and his wife Voncile Hill, 62. In the fatal accident, a tire on the 2002 Ford F-250 truck blew out, causing the truck's roof to hit the ground three…
Toyota delays North American EV plans due to weak demand
The company has also reportedly scrapped plans to produce an electric Lexus SUV in North America in 2030 go through Brad Anderson October 3, 2024 07:50 The first electric vehicle Toyota will build at its Kentucky plant will be a three-row SUV. Toyota has told suppliers it is tweaking the design of the new model, now called the bZ5x. New electric vehicles from the Subaru and Lexus brands are believed to be in development. Toyota's North American electric vehicle production plans have reportedly been delayed, with the automaker now targeting mid-2026 instead of 2025. What's the reason? Slowing growth in electric vehicle sales in the region has prompted the Japanese automaker to take a more cautious approach. Initially, the company planned to launch a three-row electric SUV at its Kentucky plant, but the timeline has been pushed back by several months. Toyota has invested $1.3 billion in its Kentucky plant for electric vehicle production. However, it's not just SUVs that…