Automotive News: BMW Gets Fired Up Over ABC Report, BlackBerry Working With Automakers on Anti-Hack Tool
BMW gets fired up over ABC report
"Sensationalistic" is how BMW of North America is describing an ABC News report alleging a pattern of parked BMW vehicles spontaneously bursting into flames.
The report, which aired last week, said ABC's investigation discovered that more than 40 BMWs have caught fire in the last five years despite being turned off and parked. The vehicles were not subject to recalls for fire-related issues, and now BMW owners and fire departments across the country are asking BMW for an explanation. The vehicle fires in some cases burned down garages or even houses, ABC reported. They started within minutes of a car being parked or even several days after it had been turned off.
The network said it has turned over its findings to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While NHTSA hadn't found evidence of a safety defect, it encouraged drivers to report any strange incidents and potential safety issues to the agency. read more »
BlackBerry working with automakers on anti-hack tool: analyst
BlackBerry Ltd is working with at least two automakers to develop a security service that would remotely scan vehicles for computer viruses and tell drivers to pull over if they were in critical danger, according to a financial analyst.
The service, which would also be able to install security patches to an idle car, is being tested by luxury automakers Aston Martin and Range Rover, Macquarie analyst Gus Papageorgiou said in a note to clients sent late on Monday.
Vehicles increasingly rely on dozens of computers that connect to each other as well as the internet, mobile networks and Bluetooth communications systems that make them vulnerable to remote hacks.
Automaker interest in cyber security has risen dramatically since 2015, when two hacking experts uncovered vulnerabilities in Fiat Chrysler vehicles that led to a U.S. recall of 1.4 million autos. read more »
