This article by Tanya Rivera of Consumer Reports originally appeared on wfmynews.com

GREENSBORO, NC (04.14.22) – Chances are you haven’t thought much about older 3G cellular networks because all the talk today is about 5G, the super-fast new network for smartphones and other wireless devices. As wireless carriers begin shutting down those old 3G networks, millions of connected cars may lose important safety features.

Consumer Reports has said for years that a car is a computer on wheels, and in many cases, it’s also a cell phone. “Almost every car these days has an internet connection built-in. And that can be used for safety features, like being able to automatically call for help in a crash, or for convenience, like being able to start the car remotely or check to see if the doors are locked or unlocked,” said Keith Barry, Consumer Reports Auto Editor. 

But for millions of cars on the road today, that technology relies on an aging 3G wireless network. And by the end of this year, all of the major cellular carriers will permanently shut down their 3G networks.

Automakers have known this for years, but as recently as 2019 they were putting 3G technology into new vehicles, knowing that customers would be left in the lurch without access to some of these services.

Link to Consumer Reports’ list of cars that could be affected by the 3G shutdown.

Some vehicles already have 4G capability, so you may only have to do a software update at home—the same way you would for a phone or laptop—to keep your car’s connected services.

Others will require a hardware upgrade, and for many car owners, that may come at a cost. Knowing what updates your car may need isn’t so easy.

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(04.11.22) – AlloyGator USA, the original wheel protection company, is pleased to announce that John Haynes has joined the AlloyGator team to support and grow their USA dealer base. John is a long-time industry veteran and spent most of his career guiding Al & Ed’s Autosound and also represented Clifford Electronics in Southern California He will now be in charge of driving sales for AlloyGator USA.

AlloyGators protect wheels from curb and pothole damage and can effectively cover up most existing curb rash.

“We’re actively looking for mobile electronics dealers who have crossed over and expanded their business model into wheels and tires” says John. “The great thing about AlloyGators is that they don’t compete with any other product space, so you’re adding dollars, not just trading dollars. The end result is increased sales and profits on top of the business your shop would have done anyway. It’s the perfect add actively selling and installing wheels.”

AlloyGator is the only truly engineered wheel protection solution on the market.

MIRA Certified and TÜV approved.

Gator rim protectors fit between the wheel and tire and are held in place with diamond gripping technology. The AlloyGators use specially designed locking teeth, diamond grips and robust stainless-steel clips to ensure a secure, long-lasting fit to your vehicle. AlloyGators have a rounded edge and matte finish the appearance of your customer’s vehicle.

Visit alloygator.com/us for more.

This article was written by Paul A. Eisenstein for TheDetroitBureau.com

DETROIT, MI (04.08.22) – Federal regulators have launched an investigation involving battery fires and other problems that have forced the recall of nearly 140,000 vehicles built by five different automakers.

The common thread is the use of lithium-ion batteries produced by South Korean supplier LG Energy Solution.

“We understand NHTSA’s latest request is a follow-up procedure to determine if the same or similar batteries involved in the recalls were supplied to other OEMs,” the battery manufacturer said in a statement. “LG Energy Solution will fully cooperate with the inquiry.”

The auto industry is in the midst of a rapid transition from internal combustion engines to all-electric propulsion. But there has been growing concern about lithium-ion batteries over their risk of catching fire. That has led to a number of recalls in recent years by manufacturers including Ford, BMW and Tesla, currently the largest BEV manufacturer.

Feds now looking into problems

But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s new probe is focused on LG Energy Solution. It has become one of the world’s largest suppliers of lithium technology, but has been involved in several troubling recalls.

Since February 2020, a total of 138,324 BEVs and hybrids using LGES batteries have been recalled due to problems that include unexpected stalling. The bigger concern is that faulty batteries can short out and catch fire.

That led General Motors to temporarily halt production of its Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV models late last year while recalling all models already on the road. It has been replacing their battery packs with newer ones deemed to be at lower risk of catching fire. GM only resumed production of the two Bolt models this week, also using newer batteries.

Along with GM, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and Volkswagen have ordered recalls involving LG Energy Solution batteries during the past 26 months.

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