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Jaguar Recalls 18,000 Cars Over Major Software Fault
DMandPenfold writes with this excerpt from ComputerWorld UK "Jaguar has recalled nearly 18,000 X-type cars after it discovered a major software fault, which meant drivers might not be able to turn off cruise control. The problem lies with engine management control software developed in-house by Jaguar. The problematic software is only installed on diesel engine X-Types, which were all produced between 2006 and 2010. Some 17,678 vehicles have been recalled, as a result of the potentially dangerous problem. If the fault occurs, cruise control can only be disabled by turning of the ignition while driving — which would mean a loss of some control and in many cars also disables power steering. Braking or pressing the cancel button will not work. 'Jaguar has identified that should an error with certain interfacing systems be detected the cruise control system will be disabled and an error message displayed to the driver on the instrument cluster,' the company said in a statement."
It's still the other way around in a substantial part of the rest of the planet. In Europe for example, it's only by special request that you get an automatic. By default all cars I've seen on a dealer lot in every country in Europe I've been to are manual shift. Some automatics are available, but they are certainly not common. I see the same when I am in Africa... almost all cars/trucks are manual shift.