Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has finally issued a follow-up recall for nearly 353,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs from the 2011 and 2012 model years.

The company launched a repair campaign in July 2014 to fix a problem with the vanity-mirror wiring, which was prone to short circuit if technicians had previously removed the mirror or headliner to perform service. At least three injuries were blamed on fires caused by improper reassembly.

Owners continued to report wiring fires in vehicles that had been ‘fixed’ by the original campaign. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration eventually opened an investigation into the campaign to determine what, if anything, went wrong. Notably, the fire complaint tally for serviced vehicles had exceeded the number of reports that led to the initial recall.

FCA has finally acknowledged the continuing problems, placing blame on technicians for failing to ‘precisely’ follow the recommended service procedure. The issue is said to be present only in vehicles with a certain wiring package, limiting the recall’s list to less than half the original campaign.

Headliners will be secured with a new adhesive, while other measures will be taken to prevent wiring from contacting abrasive surfaces.

The company acknowledges ‘overheating conditions’ in less than 0.02 percent of the original campaign’s 895,000 vehicle population, suggesting post-service failures occurred in up to 179 SUVs. The specific number of fires has not been disclosed, though the automaker claims to be unaware of any related injuries or accidents.

Ford has issued a recall for the 2013 Escape to fix a wiring defect.

In some vehicles, certain splices in the engine wiring harness may have been insufficiently crimped during the manufacturing process. As a result, the powertrain control module can receive incorrect signals from the manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor.

High resistance in the circuits can cause engine performance issues, including reduced power, hesitation, running rough or stalling without warning. Engine shutdown while underway increases the risk of a crash.

Service technicians will repair the wiring harness splices to reduce resistance and restore proper signal communication.

The campaign affects approximately 9,000 vehicles sold in the US market.

Mitsubishi is celebrating a significant milestone in the US market, as collective sales surpass five million units.

The Japanese automaker first brought its vehicles to the US in 1982, initially offering the Tredia, Cordia and Starion sedans. Later vehicles, now retired, include the 3000GT, Eclipse, Montero and Galant.

Despite starting off in the US with a trio of sedans, Mitsubishi is now focused on better engaging the booming crossover market. The Lancer Evolution has already been officially retired, while the standard Lancer is expected to be pulled in the next few years. Following the i-MiEV confirmed departure, the Mirage will be the only car left in the company’s US lineup.

Looking beyond just popular bodystyles, Mitsubishi is also planning to take advantage of the anticipated shift toward plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles. Slotting between the Outlander and Outlander Sport, a new coupe-like crossover is expected to be the first of the new models outfitted with a plug-in system. Hybrid and EV adaptations of the next-generation Outlander and Outlander Sport are expected to follow in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

The company recently reported its 21st consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases. Overall deliveries are up 23 percent for the year overall, driven by the revamped Outlander and other crossovers.

Looking further back, the picture is not so rosy. The automaker last year posted its first North American profit in seven years, prompting the crossover-focused turnaround strategy. The company hopes crossovers to dominate its future sales, and plug-in hybrids could account for 20 percent of its total output by the end of the decade.

Audi has confirmed debut plans for a few of its upcoming crossovers, including the Q2 and the next-generation Q5.

The company plans to spend the equivalent of $3.3 billion USD to achieve its near- and long-term goals. Half of the cash will be spent at German sites in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm, while enabling the company to hire additional experts with a focus on future technologies.

Some of the new workers will be tasked with developing the company’s first high-volume battery-electric vehicle, previewed in concept form as the e-tron Quattro (pictured). The crossover is on track to arrive in production form by 2018.

“We are continuing with our high levels of investment in future technologies to enhance the strong position of our brand,” said Audi chief Rupert Stadler. “A significant proportion of our investment is naturally in the field of alternative drive systems.”

Previous reports suggest Audi plans to release at least two electric crossovers before the end of the decade. One is expected to be built upon the same modular MQB platform that underpins the Volkswagen Golf and A3 sedan, while the larger MLB model is said to carry the Q6 nameplate and serve as a sleek and sporty battery-powered alternative to the larger Q7.

Audi will show the Q2 and next-generation Q5 sometime next year. The company plans to expand its portfolio to include 60 vehicles by 2020.

Hyundai has appointed former Lamborghini executive Manfred Fitzgerald to lead its newly formed Genesis brand.

During more than a decade at Lamborghini, Fitzgerald served as the director of branding and design. He is credited with helping the Raging Bull transform from a “prototype car company” to an established luxury marque as sales increased by 10-fold.

The executive will help Hyundai achieve its goal of distinguishing a standalone luxury brand under the Genesis name. The division will receive a unique design identity, along with unique logos and a consistent naming structure as it prepares to take on German and Japanese rivals.

“Based in Hyundai Motor Headquarters Seoul, Mr. Fitzgerald will be in charge of establishing and executing strategies for the Genesis brand as the Senior Vice President,” Hyundai said in a statement. “For the brand to set a strong foothold in the global luxury car market, he will take a core role in brand strategy, marketing and other business operations within the Genesis brand.”

The Genesis brand will eventually encompass six new models by the end of the decade. Its first model, the G90 flagship sedan, will essentially serve as a successor to the Equus. Other planned models include several crossovers and an entry-level sedan, allowing the brand to compete with a spectrum of established competitors ranging from the BMW 3-Series to the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class.

Unlike most luxury brands operated by mainstream automakers, Hyundai will not establish a separate sales network for its Genesis lineup. The company will also be targeting ‘new luxury’ buyers, attempting to snag customers who are ready to take a step upmarket but have not yet decided on a particular brand. The strategy appears to acknowledge the difficulties in converting customers who already own a luxury vehicle from an established brand.