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Apr 2022

Ford Recalls 653K Pickups and SUVs

Ford Motor Co. is recalling nearly 653,000 pickups and SUVs in the U.S. because the windshield wiper arms could break. The affected vehicles are certain 2020-21 Ford F-150 pickups and Expedition SUVs; 2020-22 Super Duty F-350, F-450 and F-550 pickups; and 2020-21 Lincoln Navigator SUVs.

In a recall report submitted to NHTSA last week, Ford said those vehicles are equipped with a part that was produced out of design specification and with higher torque wiper motors. “An improper functioning wiper arm may potentially result in reduced visibility in certain conditions, which could increase the risk of a crash,” according to the report. Potential symptoms of a defective windshield wiper arm include erratic or slow wipe speed.

Apr 2022

GM Order Start Date

Please be advised that, to better align with CAP incentive and pricing timelines, the fleet order start date for 2023MY Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra has been revised to Thursday, May 26th. This includes all Cab Types and all fleet/upfitter Order Types.

Ford Shuts Down Mach-E Orders

Due to overwhelming demand, Ford has stopped orders for the 2022 Mustang Mach-E. Emma Bergg, Ford spokeswoman, told the Free Press on Tuesday: “Due to unprecedented demand, retail order banks are closed for the MY22 (Model Year 2022) in the U.S. We will continue to sell the limited number of units remaining from dealer stock. We will communicate MY23 (Model Year 2023) ordering details as soon as available.”

Ford plans to use the entire Cuautitlan Stamping and Assembly Plant in Mexico for production of Mustang Mach-E and will increase production starting this year. The automaker expects to reach 200,000 units per year in 2023.

Toyota Announces Recalls

Citing a software glitch that can impact the vehicle stability control system, Toyota announced a safety recall of about 460,000 cars. Toyota says in rare cases when the impacted vehicles are restarted, the software may not automatically reset properly and can disable the system, which brakes each wheel individually and helps drivers keep control of the vehicle.

The recall impacts several different Lexus and Toyota 2020 to 2022 model years, including the Toyota Highlander, RAV4 Hybrid, RAV4 Prime and and several others. Lexus models included in the recall are the: LS500h, LX600, NX350h, and NX450h-plus.

Owners of those models are expected to be notified of the recall by the company by mid-June. Toyota says, that in order to fix the problem, dealers will update the software of the control module free of charge.

Nissan Cancels Orders

Nissan has announced that due to ongoing supply chain issues, several Nissan orders will not be built. Nissan will cancel these orders this week. If EMKAY customer orders are affected, your EMKAY representative will notify you immediately. Furthermore, Nissan will not roll these orders to 2023MY. New orders will need to be placed when ordering becomes available.

Nissan has also advised that they expect the Rogue and Pathfinder to be problematic. They recommend, to the extent possible, to focus on Altima, Sentra, and Murano for the 2023 MY.

Apr 2022

Used Vehicle Market

Average wholesale prices have held fairly steady at the start of 2022, though they have softened modestly from peak levels achieved in early November 2021 and to date have not shown their typical Spring/Tax Season uptick. A key difference in current market conditions versus those in place during the November price peak is that rental companies have started to receive a greater allocation of new vehicles, which has diminished their need to purchase late-model used vehicles as a substitute.

Retail used vehicle sales and CPO sales have started the year down compared to 2021, 2020 and 2019, as consumers may be shying away from purchasing used vehicles at such historically high prices.

According to KAR Global Analytical Services’ monthly analysis of wholesale used vehicle prices by vehicle model class, wholesale prices in January averaged $16,363 – up 2.1% compared to December, up 30.4% relative to January 2021, and up 52.1% versus pre-pandemic/January 2019.

Wholesale prices in February averaged $16,236 — down 0.8% compared to January, up 22.6% relative to February 2021, and up 50.7% versus pre-pandemic/February 2019.

Based on NADA data, retail used vehicle sales by franchised and independent dealers year-to-date through February were down 1.6% versus 2021, down 8.3% versus 2020 and down 3.9% compared to 2019.
On a year-to-date basis through February, CPO sales were down 12.9% versus 2021, down 21.5% versus 2020 and down 12.9% compared to 2019, using figures from Motor Intelligence.

Ford Recalls 737k Vehicles

Ford Motor Co. is recalling 737,000 vehicles in the U.S. over a part that could develop an oil leak and a software error that could hinder braking.

The automaker said it is recalling 345,451 of its 2020-2022 Ford Escape and 2021-2022 Ford Bronco Sport vehicles with 1.5L engines because the engine oil separator housing could crack and develop an oil leak that would cause a fire. Ford is also recalling 391,836 2021-2022 F-150, 2022 Ford Maverick, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 vehicles because a towed trailer equipped with an electric or electric-over hydraulic brake system might not brake.

Mar 2022

Toyota to Pause Production

Toyota Motor Corp. will pause production at its southwestern Indiana assembly pant for five days in April because of supply chain disruptions. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana Inc. will idle its Princeton plant on April 1st, 8th, 14th, 15th and 18th, the company said.

GM Recalls 740,600 Terrains

General Motors is recalling nearly 740,600 U.S. vehicles for bright headlight reflections that may cause glare or be distracting to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall covers certain 2010-17 GMC Terrain compact crossovers and comes after NHTSA this month denied a GM request that would have allowed the Detroit automaker to avoid fixing the issue.

A remedy for the issue is under development. Dealers were notified starting March 8th. GM estimates vehicle owners will be notified starting April 23rd.

Ford Recalls 196,000 F-150s and SUVs

Ford Motor Co. is expanding a recall from June 2020 by adding nearly 196,000 older-model pickups and SUVs because of an issue with leaking brake fluid that may reduce front brake function.

Ford previously recalled about 292,300 F-150 pickups from the 2014 to 2017 model years for the problem. The latest recall covers certain 2016-17 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs and 2016-18 F-150 pickups, all equipped with 3.5-liter EcoBoost engines.

To fix the issue, dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, dealers also will replace the brake booster. Dealers were notified starting March 15th. Ford expects to notify vehicle owners starting April 25th.

Ford is also recalling an estimated 78,376 2021-2022 Edge vehicles because a software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank or distorted image when the vehicle is in reverse. To fix the problem, Ford is ensuring that the rearview camera software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, at no cost to owners. Owner notification letters will be mailed April 25th.