CANADA - Nissan unveils 2015 Micra to mark a new era of value for Canadians

• 2015 Nissan Micra will combine Japanese quality, European style and heritage with unbeatable value

This week, at the Montreal Auto Show, Nissan debuted the car that will mark a new era of unbeatable value for Canadians when it arrives this spring - the all-new, 2015 Nissan Micra. Combining Japanese quality with European styling and heritage, Micra will provide Canadians with more fun, more attention to detail and more value than they've ever expected in a small car.

"Micra will change the automotive landscape and provide Canadians with the value and fun they deserve in an entry-level car," said Christian Meunier, President, Nissan Canada Inc. "With great visibility, impressive agility and excellent turning radius, Micra is designed for Canadian drivers.  It will offer a small and fuel efficient, yet spacious and fun choice - at a great price."

Available in three models, the Micra S, SV and top-of-the-line SR will be available with either a 5-speed manual transmission, or a 4-speed automatic transmission. Each model is equipped with an advanced 1.6-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine with dual fuel injection and Twin CVTC. With no plans for the United States, Micra will truly be a Canadian car and has been extensively tested and perfected for the Canadian driver with features like heated outside mirrors, rear heater ducts (to keep backseat toes warm), 60/40 split rear seats and either 15 or 16 inch wheels – sizes that are widely available as snow tires.

"Micra will truly be a car for every Canadian," said Meunier. "It's been specifically designed for this market and has been thoroughly tested right here in Montreal in driving conditions Canadians typically face. It's ready for Canada. And we think Canada is ready for Micra."

Nissan Presents 2015 Nissan JUKE NISMO RS and NV200 Taxi
In addition to Micra, the 2015 Nissan JUKE NISMO RS also made its debut in Montreal, demonstrating the performance and styling potential that Nissan's NISMO team excels at.

With horsepower and torque increased to 215 and 210 lb-ft respectively, a new manual transmission, larger brakes, stiffer chassis and unique RS interior treatments featuring Recaro front seats,  this new model will take the already popular Nissan JUKE NISMO to an even higher level and join the Nissan lineup later this spring with pricing to be announced at a later date.

"The Nissan JUKE NISMO RS does exactly what it is meant to do – it takes a great Nissan product and makes it even more stylish and more fun to drive," said Meunier. "It's a great example of our commitment to bring new and innovative products to the market and we're excited to see welcome it to our line-up."

Rounding out Nissan's debuts was the first Canadian showing of the Nissan NV200 Taxi, demonstrating the versatility of Nissan's commercial vehicles. Currently being used in New York, the NV200 Taxi provides residents and visitors with sky views of the city improved leg room, cargo space and safety and much more. Canadian opportunities for the Nissan NV200 Taxi continue to be explored.

Montreal residents can also get up close to the world's best-selling pure electric vehicle, the Nissan LEAF, as part of CAA's EV Ride and Drive event from January 16-27 at the Palais de Congres, Hall Vigor. Powered by a standard 6.6 kW onboard charger that emits zero emissions, visitors to the show will have the opportunity to experience and learn about all the benefits of electric mobility.

USA - Chrysler issues recall notice on a number of its products.

Chrysler Group LLC will recall an estimated 5,663 cars and trucks to inspect their automatic transmissions.

Output shafts installed in some model-year 2013 vehicles were shaped using a two-stage forging method employed during early production. The resulting components may be subject to fracture in rare circumstances.

The process has been replaced by a single-stage forging method.

Chrysler Group is unaware of any associated injuries or accidents.

The recall is limited to certain Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Ram 1500 models equipped with a specific set of features and equipment: 4x4 or all-wheel drive, an 8-speed transmission and a V-6 engine. Chrysler Group will inspect and test their transmission output shafts and, if necessary, replace their transmission assemblies at no cost to customers.

Affected customers number approximately 4,194 in the U.S., 1,424 in Canada and 45 outside the NAFTA region. They will be notified when to schedule service appointments with their dealers.

Customers who have concerns may call 1-800-853-1403.

(US) Chrysler recall #1 - Software upgrade on 2014 Jeep Cherokee

Chrysler Group LLC will recall an estimated 132,000 SUVs to upgrade software that controls instrument-cluster lighting and active chassis systems.

Chrysler Group quality-control personnel observed reports of random warning-light illumination and instrument-cluster blackout. Both events occurred infrequently and appeared to resolve themselves by turning the vehicle’s ignition off and then on. However, regulatory compliance requires that clusters display complete information that is clearly legible.

Engineers discovered an issue in the vehicle’s anti-lock braking system (ABS) module that affects the instrument cluster display. The issue also has implications for the vehicle’s ABS and electronic stability control systems, but Chrysler Group is unaware of any reported problems involving either.

Chrysler Group is unaware of any associated accidents or injuries.

Chrysler Group will update instrument-cluster and ABS module software on certain 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokees. Most (91,559) are in the U.S.; 6,050 are in Canada; 2,662 are in Mexico; and 32,212 are outside the NAFTA region.

The upgrade will be performed at no cost to customers. Those affected will be notified by mail next month.

Customers who are concerned may call 1-800-853-1403.

Jack-Fearless-Burrows and his Harley 125

Bubble mail:

"Hello,

Im a kid who follow your blog every morning, I mean even before I have a coffee, as a part of my day before school. I saw your pic last week of a Harley 125. I have a 165 bored out to about a 200 and it has a lot of mods. I just got bit by 2 wheels last year and I live down town in Calgary, Canada and you cant do more than 70km/p anywhere and I live in an apartment so I built this bike. It's a bit smaller than a regular bike but not by much. I have lowered it a lot and the shocks are hidden under the engine. I'm hoping to finish it this summer. It's not done yet, still have to make the swing arm fender stay made out of cardboard in the picture, cut the fenders down and chrome and gold plate the rest of the bike. It's a race engine modified with Puckett parts, stuffer plate and 7 spring clutch. I've added a tractor leaf spring for the seat and had it gold plated too.  Oh ya, I'm moding it to take a knucklehead rocker box. Sorry about the pics, I just have an old Iphone 3 and I'm building the bike in my apartment kitchen. I've never built a bike before and this is my first motorcycle. My family calls me Fearless as a nickname because I love trying stuff like this. I started with a taillight and then bought every part separately on ebay. No one part has ever known one another and more than half the parts aren't even Harley. There are a lot of old British stuff from the 1920's to the 1940's and I had to make everything work. I'm glad I did my first bike this way, I have learned a lot by building it before ever even riding. Now I've got the bug and I plan on building a lot more, lets just get this one done first as my father would say.

Thanks,
Jack Burrows"

Thanks Jack. You're my new hero, what a cool project! Glad I can be an inspiration for your insanely cool bike. Bet you will inspire a lot of people with this project.

Cheers, 
Lenny