Faulty airbags cause recall of 3.4 million cars

Toyota, Honda and Nissan are recalling more than 3 million vehicles made between November 2000 and March 2004 for faulty airbags from parts supplier Takata, Automotive News reported on Thursday. So far, 1.73 million Toyotas, 1.14 million Hondas, and 480,000 Nissans are involved in the recall. But the report from Automotive News suggests Takata also supplied other manufacturers with the same airbags.

Dodge Journey to become Fiat Freemont

Dodge Journey is getting rebadged as the Fiat Freemont for Europe You might as well get used to this. Cross-pollination and re-badging between Chrysler and Fiat is going to move on apace in 2011 and this is just the start, with the recently re-fettled Dodge Journey being tweaked and re-badged for Europe as the Fiat Freemont. Sergio Marchionne sees the Journey doing much better in Europe badged as a Fiat, and he’s probably right.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta facelifted for the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Alfa Romeo today only sells two regular cars, the MiTo and Giulietta. The family hatchback Giulietta is its most profitable – and also its best – and so to ensure it still has at least some appeal alongside the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus that outclass it, Alfa has facelifted it for the 2014 model year. It’s a very discreet and low-effort facelift, but the firm still hopes it’s just enough to keep the family five-door ticking over.