Ford responds to Free Press investigation of Focus, Fiesta transmissions

Ford Motor Co. issued a statement Wednesday in rebuttal to a Detroit Free Press investigation of the carmaker's use of a dual-clutch transmission it called the DPS6 starting with the 2011 Fiesta and 2012 Focus.

Ford’s statement is the automaker’s first public response since publication of the investigation July 11. It comes a day after three members of Congress, including the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee that oversees the nation’s traffic safety agency, called for immediate review by regulators.

Nothing in Ford’s statement erodes the accuracy of the Free Press investigation, Editor Peter Bhatia said. We are sharing Ford’s statement with annotations about our findings to add clarity. read more »

Driverless Bus Hits Pedestrian in Vienna, Interrupting Trials

Authorities are investigating why a driverless bus struck a pedestrian in Vienna, an incident that resulted in minor injuries but stopped Austrian trials of the technology.

The city has been testing two driverless buses under a program that began June 6. The Austrian Institute of Technology and Siemens mobility are also participating in the project, which required a professional driver on board when the units were operating. read more »