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NHTSA seeks more info from Tesla in safety probe of in-vehicle gaming feature AUTONEWS U.S. auto safety regulators are seeking more information from Tesla Inc. in its investigation of the electric vehicle maker's decision to allow video games to be played on the infotainment system. read more »

VW agrees to $3.5 mln diesel emissions settlement with Ohio REUTERS Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE) agreed to a $3.5 million settlement with Ohio over claims the German automaker violated state laws by manipulating vehicle computer software in its vehicles to mask carbon dioxide emissions, the state attorney general said. read more »

Felony charges are 1st in a fatal crash involving Autopilot AP

Tesla owners are again losing heat in extreme cold as some heat pumps are failing badly ELECTREK

Mercedes recalls 50,000 Sprinter vans for mysterious roll-away risk AUTO BLOG

The DOT Says Federal Oversight of Autonomous Cars Is a Must AUTOWEEK US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg made a virtual address to CES yesterday, playing up the role of government in making cars—and planes, trains, and even drones—safe for Americans. Buttigieg singled out autonomous cars in particular as needing government guidelines for safety. He even mentioned Tesla, which has had its share of autonomous-mode crashes, by name. read more »

VW and dieselgate - What really happened DW

Daimler warns car owners of fire risk it lacks parts to fix REUTERS Daimler's (DAIGn.DE) Mercedes-Benz has informed owners of its luxury cars of a technical defect that could spark a fire, the company said on Tuesday, adding a recall was not possible because parts needed to fix the problem are not available. read more »

Tesla recalls nearly half a million cars over safety issues REUTERS Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) is recalling more than 475,000 of its Model 3 and Model S electric cars to address rearview camera and trunk issues that increase the risk of crashing, the U.S. road safety regulator said. read more »

Crash Test Dummies Made Cars Safer (for Average-Size Men) NEW YORK TIMES

US steps up probe into Hyundai-Kia engine failures and fires ABC U.S. auto safety regulators have stepped up a series of investigations into engine fires that have plagued Hyundai and Kia vehicles for more than six years. read more » Nissan Issues 2021 Rogue Recall Over Fuel Pump Issue AUTO EVOLUTION

Audi is recalling nearly 300,000 Q5, SQ5 and Sportback models over water ingress CNET

Alarmed by Tesla’s public self-driving test, state legislators demand answers from DMV LOS ANGELES TIMES

Daimler settles diesel emission claims in Canada for $197 mln REUTERS Daimler (DAIGn.DE) on Friday said it agreed to settle claims in Canada that some of its diesel vehicles likely contained a "defeat device" used to cheat emissions testing, an accusation the German luxury carmaker denies. read more »

VW to pay $3.5 million to resolve Illinois diesel lawsuit REUTERS Volkswagen AG's (VOWG_p.DE) U.S. unit will pay $3.5 million to resolve a lawsuit by the state of Illinois against the German automaker for updates of emissions software arising from the 2015 diesel cheating scandal. read more »

CARB settles with American Honda Motor Corporation, Inc. for nearly $7 million for violations of air quality regulations on small off-road engines CARB

A New Tesla Safety Concern: Drivers Can Play Video Games in Moving Cars NEW YORK TIMES Not long after buying a Tesla Model 3 this summer, Vince Patton saw a YouTube clip highlighting a feature that took him by surprise: three video games that can be played on the large touch screen mounted in front of the dashboard — while driving down the road. read more »

Inside Tesla as Elon Musk Pushed an Unflinching Vision for Self-Driving Cars NEW YORK TIMES The automaker may have undermined safety in designing its Autopilot driver-assistance system to fit its chief executive’s vision, former employees say. read more » Toyota embracing small flaws as supply chain pressures bite REUTERS

Honda recalls SUVs and pickups because hoods can fly open USA TODAY Honda is recalling nearly 723,000 SUVs and pickup trucks because the hoods can open while the vehicles are moving. read more » German Prosecutors Target Former PSA Group Over Diesel Cheating BARRONS

EU demands Italy enforce penalties for diesel emissions cheating devices REUTERS The European Commission on Thursday called on Italy to enforce penalties on the use of banned devices to manipulate vehicle emissions, stepping up an infringement procedure against Rome opened in May 2017. read more » 115,000 Ford Bronco Sports, Escapes Recalled for Brakes CARS.COM