As we enter what appears to be the final model year for Mazda’s aging 5, the Japanese automaker has pared down the available options for its mini-minivan, and finally eliminated the 6-speed manual entirely.
2015 Mazda5s are still available in three trim levels–Sport, Touring and Grand Touring–but only a handful of a-la-carte options remain, the most notable of which being headrest-mounted DVD entertainment system.

The Mazda5 was never a volume seller for Mazda, peaking at just over 22,000 units in 2008. This is likely the reason for Mazda’s reluctance to overhaul the small van under its new SkyActiv program. Without these improvements, the aging powertrain combination was only good for 21 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway–worse than the larger (but less flexible) CX-5.

The upcoming CX-3 will likely fill the role vacated by the Mazda5 when it goes on sale later next year, but its lack of sliding doors and third-row seating will put it at a practicality disadvantage to the outgoing van. Mazda’s only other three-row family vehicle is the larger, more expensive CX-9, which is due for replacement in 2017.

The Federal Trade Commission has vowed to crack down on alleged deceptive advertising in the automotive sales business, taking action against two large dealership chains.
Billion Auto, a chain of 20 family-owned showrooms in Iowa, Montana and South Dakota, along with a family-controlled advertising company, Nichols Media, have agreed to settle charges that they violated a 2012 FTC administrative order. The agency accuses the companies of misrepresenting the costs and terms of finance and lease offers.

“The dealerships and advertising company violated the 2012 FTC administrative order by frequently focusing on only a few attractive terms in their ads while hiding others in fine print, through distracting visuals, or with rapid-fire audio delivery,” the agency claims.

Specifically, the dealers and advertisers are accused of promoting low monthly payments and low annual percentage rates for vehicles, without proper acknowledgement that the terms were for leases — not sales — and with significant limits on who would qualify. Some offers are also said to have included “significant added costs” not identified in advertisements.

A separate action against Ramey Motors, which operates dealership affiliates in Virginia and West Virginia, claims the company advertised attractive deals without disclosing the requirement for substantial down payments.

Billion Auto agreed to pay $360,000 in civil penalties, while Ramey Motors is subject to $16,000 in fines. The FTC claims to have brought more than 20 enforcement actions in the auto marketplace in recent years.

“If auto dealers make advertising claims in headlines, they can’t take them away in fine print,” said Jessica Rich, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “These actions show there is a financial cost for violating FTC orders.”

General Motors has reportedly encountered more trouble related to ignition switches in recalled vehicles, though the problem is not being handled as a safety issue.
Some owners of aging GM cars — the same models that were listed in the infamous switch recall — are said to be encountering trouble when attempting to remove the key from the ignition.

A bulletin sent to dealers and quoted by Automotive News suggests the keys can become stuck in the ignition if the transmission shifter does not properly disengage the key lock when the car is put into ‘park.’

The company is handling the inconvenience as a “special coverage adjustment,” allowing owners to bring in their out-of-warranty cars for a free fix. In the meantime, affected owners can engage a manual-release plunger under the steering column to release the key, helping avoid battery drain if the key is left in ‘accessory’ position.

The campaign is said to include 2.2 million vehicles in the US and Canadian markets.

Mazda has again expanded its Takata airbag recall, switching to a nationwide campaign for driver-side inflators.
The company last week added several Gulf Coast states to to its regional campaign for both driver- and passenger-side components, affecting a total of more than 86,000 vehicles.

Under pressure from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driver-side components will now be fixed throughout the US — not just in high-humidity states and territories.

Mazda has labeled its latest move a “safety improvement campaign,” rather than a formal recall, since the company has not yet made a formal defect determination.

“So far, Takata has tested a large number of inflators removed from Mazda vehicles, and NONE have been found to be non-compliant at this time,” the company said in a statement (emphasis in original). “One vehicle – a 2005 Mazda6 located in Florida – has been identified as having experienced an abnormal driver’s-side airbag deployment.”

The company has committed to joining other automakers in establishing an independent testing program to determine the true scope of the Takata inflator problems.

BMW has expanded its 2-Series lineup with a three-cylinder engine option and other new model variants.
The 1.5-liter TwinPower Turbo gasoline mill, borrowed from the 2-Series Active Tourer, powers the new entry-level 218i Coupe. The small engine will provide 136 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque.

BMW suggests the lightweight powerplant helps bring the 218i’s weight distribution to nearly 50:50. Drivers can expect to hit 62 mph in 8.8 seconds with a manual transmission, or 8.9 seconds with an automatic, while top speed is just under 132 mph for either gearbox.

The company has also introduced the 220d xDrive, pairing a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine with four-wheel drive. The oil burner is good for a 0-62 mph sprint in 6.8 seconds.

Buyers will be able to choose from several new trim levels. The Advantage package features a multifunction steering wheel, cruise control with braking, parking sensors and fog lamps, while the Sport Line and Luxury Line bring unique 17-inch wheels, a light package, upgraded upholstery and other tweaks.

The company has not confirmed which markets will receive the new packages.