BRIEFS - Subaru recalling Legacys, Outbacks
Published:Sunday | September 18, 2011 | 12:00 AM
- Subaru recalling Legacys, Outbacks
WASHINGTON (AP):
Subaru is recalling 69,590 of its 2011 Legacy sedans and Outback crossovers, because their sunroof glass could come loose and fall out. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) says the vehicles were made between August 3, 2010, and July 1, 2011.
NHTSA says on its website that the adhesive between the sunroof's glass and retainer wasn't adequately applied.
There is a chance the sunroof glass could loosen and come off while driving, resulting in a potential road hazard for other cars and trucks and potentially causing a crash.
Subaru told NHTSA that it will notify owners. Dealers will inspect the adhesion and either apply extra adhesive or replace the glass for free.
The recall is expected to begin next month.
- Ford pays off US$1.8b in debt
DETROIT (AP):
Ford Motor Company paid off US$1.8 billion in debt Thursday, part of a plan to lower its total debt to US$10 billion by mid-decade.
Chief Financial Officer Lewis Booth announced the action earlier this week at an investor presentation in Frankfurt, Germany. Ford spokesman Todd Nissen confirmed that the payment was made Thursday. Ford's total debt now stands at US$12.2 billion, down from US$33.6 billion at the end of 2009.
- October start for Toyota plant
BLUE SPRINGS, Miss (AP):
Officials say plans for Toyota's plant in north Mississippi remain on track, with Corolla production scheduled to begin in October.
The statement was included this week in Toyota's announcement that its North American production is back to normal levels after a six-month slowdown following the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Toyota builds 12 models in North America, including the Camry, RAV4 and Tacoma pickup. Together, they account for nearly 70 per cent of Toyota's US sales.
No specific start-up for the Mississippi plant has been announced. The plant is located in the northeast Mississippi community of Blue Springs.
"We remain on schedule to begin Corolla production in October," Toyota Mississippi spokeswoman Emily Holland said. "We will celebrate the first vehicle produced at our plant in Blue Springs, and recognise the hard work and dedication of our team members, with a line-off ceremony after we start production."
- Avis Budget drops bid for Dollar Thrifty
NEW YORK (AP):
Avis Budget Group Inc said last Wednesday that it's dropping its bid to buy rival rental car company Dollar Thrifty, citing current market conditions.
The Parsippany, New Jersey-based company said in a regulatory filing that while it's made significant progress towards getting antitrust approval for a deal, and believes it could get a deal approved, buying Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc isn't in its best interest anymore.
Avis' decision to bow out leaves Hertz Global Holdings Inc as Dollar Thrifty's lone suitor, following a tug of war between Hertz and Avis that has dragged on for more than a year.