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Tesla asks NHTSA to investigate fires

In response to concerns following a recent accident which appeared to result from road debris damaging the underside of a battery compartment of a Tesla Model S, causing a fire in the engine compartment, the company has announced that it has requested that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conduct a full investigation into the fire incidents. In a blog post, Tesla CEO Elon Musk wrote the following about the investigation: "While we think it is highly unlikely, if something is discovered that would result in a material improvement in occupant fire safety, we will immediately apply that change to new cars and offer it as a free retrofit to all existing cars. Given that the incidence of fires in the Model S is far lower than combustion cars and that there have been no resulting injuries, this did not at first seem like a good use of NHTSA's time compared to the hundreds of gasoline fire deaths per year that warrant their attention." Tesla has also released a software update to the cars which will maintain their standard ride height at highway speeds, preventing the air suspension from lowering the car an extra inch at highway speeds for greater aerodynamic efficiency.

Dodge Avenger replacement could go rear-wheel drive

Chrysler is pondering a shakeup for its midsize-sedan lineup. The Dodge Avenger replacement would shift to rear-wheel drive, and the next Chrysler Sebring would be based on a Fiat platform in an effort to differentiate two cars that currently share the same underpinnings, Automotive News reports. The Avenger replacement could be based on a modified Challenger platform, which itself is a modified version of the Charger and Chrysler 300 platform.

Spyker in negotiations to sell its sports-car business to focus on Saab

Spyker Cars said Thursday it is negotiating to sell its sports car business to a company controlled by Russian billionaire Vladimir Antonov. Spyker, which bought Saab from General Motors Co. a year ago, said it has signed a memorandum of understanding to sell Spyker's assets to U.K.