Contradicting claims equating drunk driving with cellphone use behind the wheel, a University of Colorado Boulder study has found no evidence of decreased accident rates following California’s usage ban.

The potential dangers of distracted driving have been well established, however the latest research, published in the journal Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, suggests the real-world implications may not be as substantial as safety advocates have claimed.

“If it’s really that dangerous, and if even just a fraction of people stop using their phones, we would expect to find some decrease in accidents,” said co-author Daniel Kaffine, associate professor of economics at CU-Boulder. “But we didn’t find any statistical evidence of a reduction.”

The study compared accident data from California before and after the state enacted its 2008 ban on handheld cellphone use by drivers. The researchers attempted to correct the data for bad weather, gas prices and other variables that are known to influence accident rates.

Kaffine proposes several theoretical explanations for the findings, including the possibility that hands-free devices are just as distracting. The type of driver who would be most distracted by handheld cellphone use may also be prone to distraction from a long list of other things in a car, such as a radio or navigation system.

The researchers considered the possibility that few people were complying with the law, however separate studies are said to have found that cellphone usage rates typically drop when restrictive laws are put in place.

Perhaps more importantly, the professor suggests previous laboratory studies — performed in simulators — may have misinterpreted how people actually use cellphones in vehicles. Cellphones have been directly linked to many fatal accidents, however most drivers may be more careful in their usage habits.

“Disentangling these effects will be useful for policymakers in other states who are considering policies to address distracted driving,” Kaffine said. “However, our results suggest that simply banning hand-held cellphone use may not produce the desired increase in traffic safety.”

Chrysler’s Mopar parts division added a new Shaker Hood Kit for the Dodge Challenger to its catalog on Wednesday. In addition to giving the Challenger an even more retro appearance, Chrysler says the Shaker Hood is also good for a few more ponies.

The bolt-on kit consists of two parts — a Shaker Hood and the Shaker engine induction system. The kit can be fitted to any 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger with the 5.7L HEMI V8 engine. No drilling or other modifications are required for installation.

Mopar says the Shaker Hood Kit’s improves the Challenger’s performance thanks to its low-restriction conical air filter, but no horsepower figures were given.

“With the Mopar Challenger Shaker Hood Kit, enthusiasts can create their own customized Dodge Challenger, upgraded with Shaker performance and appearance,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar. “The Mopar Challenger Shaker Hood Kit offers easy assembly and is designed and tested according to strict Chrysler Group engineering standards to perfectly complement the production Dodge Challenger, setting the kit apart from aftermarket options.”

The Shaker Hood Kit carries an MSRP of $2,660 but you’ll need to budget a little more as the hood arrives unpainted.

Dodge began offering a factory Shaker Hood option for the Challenger in 2014. For 2015, the revised Challenger will offer a Shaker Hood option on its R/T and Scat Pack models.

Japan is reportedly preparing to launch is subsidy program for fuel-cell vehicles, with consumer rebates expected to be initially set at $20,000 or more per vehicle.

The program will directly benefit Toyota and Honda as both companies prepare to launch fuel-cell vehicles in Japan ahead of expansion to the US and other global markets.

Hydrogen-powered drivetrains are still prohibitively expensive for mainstream adoption, though significantly cheaper than the $1 million price tag for research vehicles several years ago. Toyota will likely lose money on its $69,000 FCV as it arrives on the market, while Honda is expected to be in a similar position.

Hyundai is one of the first companies to launch a fuel-cell vehicle in the US market. Notably, the Tucson Fuel Cell crossover is only available via lease and only in a few California cities that already have hydrogen refueling infrastructure.

Hyundai-Kia, Toyota and Honda are making a bet that infrastructure will continue to expand and fuel-cell drivetrain costs will sharply drop over the next five years. Both trends are viewed as necessary to help the technology compete against electric vehicles, which continue to benefit from cheaper battery technology.

“The subsidy is a huge driving force for sales, but it won’t be offered forever and I think the message here is that we need to continue cutting costs,” Toyota senior engineer Koichi Kojima told Reuters.

Japan is expected to continue offering subsidies for fuel-cell vehicles, potentially dropping the consumer cost down to approximately $20,000 by 2025.

General Motors is not yet done with its recall marathon, adding nearly 718,000 vehicles in six different new campaigns.

The company has identified bolt mounting problems in the seats of the 2011-2012 Chevrolet Camaro, 2010-2012 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, 2011-2012 Buick Regal and LaCrosse, and 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX. Loose bolts have been found to allow the seat to move up and down freely, a condition that has been associated with at least one accident and three injuries.

Another seat problem is related to incomplete welds on the seat hook bracket assembly in the 2014 Chevrolet Caprice and SS, 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado LD and HD, 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS, 2014 Cadillac CTS and ELR, 2013-2014 Buick Encore and 2014-2015 GMC Sierra LD and HD.

A comparatively minor issue involving rapid turn-signal flashing when a bulb burns out has led to a recall for the 2011-2013 Buick Regal and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu.

The company has also acknowledged a possible poor ground with the electric power-steering system on 2014 Chevrolet Impalas, while 2014-2015 Spark models imported from Korea may have been assembled with a lower control-arm bolt not tightened to specification.

The last recall in the latest campaigns is said to affect just 22 vehicles, including 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali SUVs, which may have been built with the wrong retaining nuts on the roof carriers. The issue could lead to airbag puncture.

“We are bringing greater rigor and discipline to our analysis and decision making. If we identify an issue – large or small – that might affect the safety of our customers, we will act decisively,” said GM safety chief Jeff Boyer.

Buick is reportedly readying a raft of new and redesigned models for its U.S. lineup, with highlights including a new midsize crossover and a small convertible.

According to Automotive News, the tri-shield brand will likely bring a version of the recently-unveiled Envision CUV to the U.S. in late 2015 or early 2016. Designed with the Chinese market in mind, the Envision should also be a good fit in the states, where it will fill the space between Buick’s subcompact Encore and full-size Enclave crossovers.

What will power the North American-spec Envision is unknown, but GM’s 2.5-liter and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinders could be utilized. Both front- and all-wheel-drive variants will be offered.

In line with long-standing rumors, AN also claims that the Opel Cascada convertible will also make its way to the U.S., potentially in early 2016. The Cascada nameplate may or may not be retained, but a 2.0-liter turbo is looking like a lock to provide underhood muscle.

As for Buick’s existing models, the LaCrosse will likely receive a redesign in late 2015, shifting to the latest evolution of GM’s Epsilon architecture and potentially receiving downsized engine options. A new-generation Encore and Verano will follow in 2016, with the latter expected to gain a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder base motor.

A lighter, more efficient Enclave should launch in spring 2017, while a redesigned Regal based off the next Opel Insignia is slated for mid-2017.