Mazda may be aiming to launch its all-new RX-7 sports car sometime in 2015 or 2016, unnamed sources have told Autoweek.

The company is said to be focusing on a lightweight chassis paired with a new rotary engine, with a price target of $30,000 to fill a niche between the Scion FRS/Subaru BRZ and more expensive alternatives such as the Nissan 370Z and Subaru WRX STI.

Reports circulating in 2012 suggested the car would get a 300-horsepower rotary engine, though the latest sources claim it will likely be a naturally-aspirated 250-pony mill with better fuel economy.

The power discrepancy is likely related to the choice between a two- or three-rotor design. Engineers are said to be already working on the new engine, likely with a two-rotor configuration similar to the RX-8 powerplant.

Earlier reports suggest the new RX-7 will feature an aluminum body to keep the weight around 2800 lbs., sharing the same platform as the next-generation MX-5. Chief designer Ikuo Maeda–son of the original RX-7 design lead–has dismissed the idea of retro styling, without elaborating on any specific details.

The RX-7 isn’t expected to be revealed until after the new Miata arrives on the market in 2015.

President Obama has blasted Republicans for fighting the UAW’s unionization efforts at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga facility.

An aide claims that Obama told a group of House Democrats at a closed meeting that the UAW has received strong support to represent VW workers, except for local politicians who are “more concerned about German shareholders than American workers,” according to a Reuters report.

The UAW’s unionization campaign has been met with strong opposition from conservative groups and Republican legislators, though Democrats have remained relatively quiet.

The anti-union campaign includes more than a dozen billboards, radio messages and statements from politicians. Senator Bob Corker earlier this week claimed to know for certain that VW would choose the Chattanooga plant over a Mexican facility to build a new line of SUVs if the workers voted against UAW representation, a claim that has been rejected by the company, while other politicians have threatened to kill tax incentives over the move.

Billboards place blame on the UAW for Detroit’s bankruptcy and tie the union’s political contributions to liberal issues such as gun control. Conservative groups argue that stronger union presence in Tennessee will make the state less competitive, pushing jobs to Mexico or other markets.

The UAW’s ranks have fallen significantly since peaking in the late ’70s, and a pro-union vote at a foreign-owned plant in the traditionally anti-union south is viewed as a potential catalyst for further expansion.

VW has remained neutral, though it has already outlined an agreement to establish a German-style works council to handle many union functions, aside from wages and benefits, if workers vote for union representation.

Voting began on Wednesday and is expected to be completed late this evening.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into reports of Mazda CX-9 brake failures, while closing an inquiry into Chrysler engine problems.

The agency has received at least seven complaints from CX-9 drivers who claim to have lost assisted braking, requiring additional effort to stop the vehicle. Some of the reports note a hissing noise during brake application.

The latest investigation focuses on model-year 2010 through 2011 crossovers, though a previous inquiry focused on brake fluid leakage in 2008 models. The latter problem was not found to be widespread or dangerous.

The NHTSA will continue to monitor reports and determine if the issue warrants a formal recall.

In the meantime, an investigation into problems with stalling HEMI engines in some Chrysler 300s, Dodge Chargers and Dodge Magnums has been closed. The issue was found to be caused by swollen fuel-shutoff floats due to high ethanol content in certain fuels. Once swollen, the switch can stick in an open position and allow fuel to fill the purge line and consequently stall the engine.

Chrysler has extended the warranty period for affected fuel tanks, providing lifetime coverage to replace the defective shutoff float. The issue is said to be limited to 5.7- and 6.1-liter HEMI engines in 2005-2006 model-year vehicles.

Korean automaker Ssangyong has reportedly confirmed plans to bring its vehicles to the US market.

The brand may not sound familiar to American drivers, but the majority of its vehicles are shipped to overseas markets. The company shipped more than 145,000 vehicles in 2013, a 20-percent jump over the previous year.

After experiencing financial difficulties several years ago, Ssangyong is now majority owned by Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra.

A spokesman told Wards Auto that the company is definitely planning a foray into the US market. The move is still in its early stages, as consultants try to choose a new name and brand identity that will be better received by Americans.

CEO Yoo-il Lee suggests US sales will be necessary for the company to meet its long-term sales goals. Executives forecast 300,000 annual vehicle shipments by 2016, however the company currently achieves the strongest growth in the Korean market.

Compact SUVs and crossovers fill most of Ssangyong’s lineup, along with a large MPV and a full-size luxury sedan. It is unclear if any of the current models are under consideration for US distribution, though any vehicle would likely have to be adapted to meet stringent regulations.

Ssangyong has yet to announce a solid time-frame for its US launch plans.

General Motors has promised to lead the restoration efforts for eight Corvettes that were consumed this week in a sinkhole that opened underneath the National Corvette Museum in Kentucky.

“The vehicles at the National Corvette Museum are some of the most significant in automotive history,” said GM’s VP of global product development, Mark Reuss. “There can only be one 1-millionth Corvette ever built. We want to ensure as many of the damaged cars are restored as possible so fans from around the world can enjoy them when the Museum reopens.”

Most of the damaged cars still remain inside the sinkhole, which is estimated to be at least 40 feet wide and 25-30 feet deep. Crews estimate that it will take several weeks to stabilize the building and sinkhole walls before the vehicle-recovery process can begin.

Security camera footage shows the floor in the museum’s Skydome area begin to buckle, before disintegrating below two Corvettes parked next to a 2009 ZR1 “Blue Devil.”

A flyover video recorded by a small drone only shows a few of the ‘Vettes, including the Blue Devil that landed upright on all four wheels. A 1962 model rests vertically against the sinkhole wall, while a 1993 40th Anniversary Ruby Red edition is wedged upside down against its hood and front bumper. Other Corvettes are presumably buried underneath layers of building debris, soil and rock.

“When the cars are recovered, they will be shipped to the Mechanical Assembly facility, a small specialty shop within GM Design, where the best restoration approach will be determined,” GM said in a statement. “Mechanical Assembly has been part of GM Design since the 1930s, and today maintains and restores many of the vehicles in the GM Heritage Collection and GM’s historic concept cars.”