Electrical failures in Sprinter vans are more common than many owners realise, especially as these vehicles age or accumulate high mileage. From malfunctioning sensors to failing batteries and wiring issues, electrical problems can quickly affect a van’s drivability, fuel efficiency, and overall reliability. Whether your Sprinter is used for personal travel, delivery work, or a commercial fleet, understanding how to diagnose and repair electrical issues can save you time, money, and unexpected downtime.Common Electrical Problems in Sprinter VansSprinter vans—especially models from 2007 and newer—are known for their complex electronic systems. While this technology improves performance, it also means…
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Italy’s DR Auto faces probe for allegedly misleading consumers
Italian automaker DR Automobiles is facing an antitrust investigation for allegedly misleading consumers over where its DR and EVO-branded vehicles are made, the Italian competition authority (AGCM) said on Thursday.
The company incorrectly represented, both on its corporate website and in advertising campaigns, information over the country where some of its models are manufactured, AGCM said.
Headquartered in the southern Italian region of Molise, DR assembles low-cost cars from the Chinese automakers Chery, JAC, BAIC, including full-electric ones, in Italy with components imported from those companies.
DR and EVO sold around 24,200 vehicles in Italy in the first nine months…
Volvo software issue stalls EX30 small SUV deliveries
Volvo has delayed deliveries of the EX30 due to an issue with the full-electric small SUV’s software.
It is the second Volvo EV stung by software trouble after the EX90.
“We confirm that Volvo is working tirelessly to resolve the problem,” the automaker said in a correspondence to its dealers seen by Automotive News Europe. “Important progress has been made but the software version 1.2 does not yet meet all the requirements necessary to be released.”
When asked about the delay, a Volvo spokesperson said in an email: “A limited number of customers have had to wait a few extra…
Continental CFO won’t extend contract
Continental’s CFO, Katja Garcia Vila, will not extend her contract and plans to leave the auto supplier she joined nearly three decades ago.
Garcia Vila, 51, became CFO in December 2021 and will stay on until a successor has been found, the company said Monday. Her contract expires in December.
Continental is going through a major revamp to improve returns at its struggling auto unit, including more than 7,000 job cuts and site closures.
Garcia Vila is leaving “because of her own career planning,” the supplier said in a news release.
She started her career at Continental in 1997 and…
As used EV prices fall, automakers repay leasing firms
Fueled by generous subsidies and tax breaks, corporate cars are especially popular in Europe, with Volkswagen, Stellantis and BMW leading a market with nearly 13 million deliveries last year. Fully electric cars made up nearly 16 percent of sales then.
Carmakers need to comply with tightening fleet emission levels, or pay fines. In the European Union, the permissible level of carbon dioxide emissions will drop next year with Volkswagen still some way off, according to an analysis by market researcher Jato. In the UK, zero-emissions vehicles should make up 22 percent of sales this year, rising to 28 percent the…
Ford stops 2024 F-150 Lightning shipments; gas deliveries start
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SUVs surge to new milestone helped by EVs
The SUV is now the dominant body type across Europe. Figures for 2023 reveal that combined volumes for models such as the Tesla Model Y and the Volkswagen T-Roc accounted for more than half of all sales in the region for the first time.
SUVs outpaced the market, with sales rising 19 percent last year to 6.63 million to take a 51 percent share of a European vehicle market that rose 14 percent overall, figures from market researcher Dataforce show.
The Model Y premium midsize SUV was Europe’s No. 1-seller overall.
Small, compact cars fall
SUVs have eclipsed Europe’s traditional…
Why Alfa Romeo is closely watching Trump versus Biden
Alfa Romeo on April 10 will unveil its first full-electric car, the Milano small crossover. It will go on sale in September in markets where EV demand is strong, including France, the Netherlands and the Nordic countries.
A 48-volt mild hybrid version will be launched by the end of the year, targeting markets where electrification is lagging such as Italy and Spain. The Milano will be sold in Turkey, North Africa and Latin America starting in 2025.
Stellantis is preparing its plant in Cassino, central Italy, to build cars on the STLA Large platform, including the second-generation Alfa Romeo Stelvio…