The Auto World

Kia had a record-breaking August as Americans bought 83,793 vehicles. Six different models set a new monthly sales record including the Telluride. Hybrid sales were up 99%, thanks to gas prices above $4 per gallon nationally. Kia’s stellar year continues as the brand has set a new August sales record in the United States. Dealers moved 83,793 vehicles last month, which was 786 more than a year ago. The brand didn’t just break one record either as the K4 , K5, Carnival, Seltos, Sportage, and Telluride all posted their best August in history. Kia also noted hybrid sales were up 99%, which can largely be credited to high gas prices caused by the war in Iran. More: Kia’s New EV3 Starts Under $30,000 And Undercuts Nissan Leaf While consumers embraced hybrids to save at the pump, gas prices weren’t high enough to get them to switch to EVs. Sales of the EV6 tumbled 60% to 712 units, while the larger EV9 fell 33% to 1,7...

Ford recalls 148,663 MY24-26 Mustangs after wiring grounds can fracture from vibration. Failures can kill drive power, headlights, washers, cooling fans or air-conditioning systems. Separate recall involves 2.3-liter EcoBoost Mustangs fitted with potentially cracked pistons. Sometimes it’s the smallest glitches that cause the biggest problems. We’re reminded of that this week by Ford, which is calling back 148,663 examples of the MY24-26 Mustang because engine-bay wiring harness ground connections can fracture, creating all kinds of underhood trouble. Depending on which ground eyelet breaks, affected Mustangs can lose motive power, one or both headlights, the windshield washer pump, air conditioning or the engine cooling fan. Besides being inconvenient if not downright dangerous, the fault could also mean the cars don’t comply with federal lighting and washer standards, though Ford estimates only 1 percent actually have the ...

The Nissan Wave has been spied ahead of a launch next year. Hatchback is a lightly revised version of the Renault Twingo. Model sports a more traditional design and should be affordable. Nissan launched the redesigned Micra last year and a report, in January, suggested it could be followed by an even smaller EV known as the Wave. Spy photographers have now snapped the model and it’s a lightly revised version of the Renault Twingo. Dressed in heavy camouflage, the Wave has a revised front end that trades circular lighting units for squared off ones with an angular lower accent. The latter appear to be part of a C-shaped daytime running light signature. More: New Nissan Wave Could Bring Back A Cult Era Of Retro JDM Cars Elsewhere, we can see a wider central bar as well as a revamped intake with a cube-like design. They’re accompanied by a more traditional hood and a lower sensor pod that is covered by camo. ...

Police allegedly clocked a “learner” motorcyclist at 106 mph in a 50 mph zone. The 26-year-old had reportedly held his learner’s permit for only months. Police impounded the motorcycle for 30 days, leaving its rider with a legit release bill. Motorcyclists need to be especially careful. Building skill in the real world takes plenty of experience in different situations. Allegedly doing 106 mph (171 km/h) on a public road probably isn’t among the recommended methods. Police in Australia say that’s exactly what one relatively new rider did, and his motorcycle is now spending a month behind bars as a result. Victoria Police say Cardinia Highway Patrol officers spotted a blue motorcycle speeding on Princes Highway in Longwarry North at around 11:50 a.m. on August 28. Things apparently didn’t get any better from there. Read: Motorcyclist Survives 130 MPH Crash During Police Chase According to police, off...