Unguzzle

Recall: Bad Paint Could Lead To Roof-ectomy on Smart ForTwo

Chris Paukert — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:58:10 -0500

Here’s a recall you don’t see terribly often: Smart USA is recalling a handful of 2008 ForTwos because a batch of defective apaint may lead to the roof or the windshield flying off.

The recall only affects 43 units, and the bizarre nature of the paint problem points to the car’s unique construction methods. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the faulty paint was applied to the Smart’s chassis and Tridion safety cell framework. Apparently, the paint is a delaminating risk, and if the paint comes apart near the portion where the windshield and roof are adhesive-mounted, they could separate from the rest of the car. According to NHTSA, "This could cause a crash if the roof or windshield separated from the vehicle while in motion.”

Yikes. Owners of the affected ForTwos can look forward to having their Smarts repainted at dealers.

+ NHTSA

Tata Will Only Bring Nano to Europe with 4-Star Safety

Seyth Miersma — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 07:00:50 -0600

Executives from Indian automaker Tata have said that they will bring the Nano microcar to Europe, only if the car can achieve the highest possible safety rating.

Tata’s director of the Nano program, Girish Wagh, said, “We will only bring the Nano to Europe if it achieves a four-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash test.

Tesla Motors Out to Dispel Roadster Myths

Dustin P. Walsh — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:30:29 -0600

Tesla Motors has decided to dispel the falsifications surrounding the release of its Roadster. Tesla vice president of sales, marketing, and service (and Winding Road reader) Darryl Siry has started a “Mythbusters

Ethanol Fires Fueling Concerns Over the Biofuel’s Widespread Use

Dustin P. Walsh — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 11:00:47 -0600

Ethanol, as you would expect, has come under fire lately. And, apparently, fire is one of its major problems.

Ethanol fires are harder to put out that traditional gasoline fires, according to the Associated Press. They cannot be extinguished with water; ethanol fires require special-purpose foam. And, the major concern is that most fire departments in the U.S. don’t have the foam and aren’t trained in how to use it.

“It is not unusual to find a fire department that is still just prepared to deal with traditional flammable liquids,

The Maryland Blind Seeking Minimum Noise Requirement

Dustin P. Walsh — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:00:15 -0600

Member of the National Federation of the Blind will testify on Tuesday in front of a Maryland legislative committee about the danger hybrid vehicles pose to the blind.

The Federation said in a statement last week, according to Automotive News, “When compared to vehicles using traditional combustion engines, hybrid vehicles are virtually silent when accelerating and decelerating, making it impossible for blind individuals to detect their presence.