Auto Updates: Tesla Motors Inc (TSLA)’s Gamble, General Motors Company (GM)’s Closest Competitors & Ford Motor Company (F)’s Investigation

Ford Focus probed for stalling while driving (CNBC)
U.S. safety regulators are investigating incidents of stalling in Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)’s Focus electric cars after receiving 12 consumer complaints. The preliminary evaluation of 2012 and 2013 model-year cars was opened after 11 consumers alleged their vehicle shut down while driving, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. An estimated 1,000 of the plug-in electric cars, launched last year, are included in the probe. Half of the incidents occurred at speeds above 30 mph, and all of the complaints were received within the past five months, according to NHTSA. No accidents or injuries were reported.

How Car Dealers and Their Lobbyists Crushed Tesla’s Plan for Texas (DallasObserver)
This past legislative session, billionaire Elon Musk‘s push for a new law allowing electric-car maker Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) to bypass car dealers and sell directly to consumers crashed and burned. Which wasn’t a surprise. The state’s car dealers have a long, proud history of plying legislators with campaign cash and gifts. So when Texas Auto Dealers Association President Bill Wolters complained that the Tesla bill would open the door for huge corporate car-makers to “compete with our family-owned businesses,” lawmakers listened.

General Motors revs up volunteer work across US (ShepherdstownChronicle)
General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) employees are gearing up for a week of volunteering across the United States. The Detroit automaker says its second annual “teamGM Cares Week” kicks off Monday and incorporates about 75 projects. Michigan projects include blight-fighting and cleanup projects in Detroit’s Brightmoor and Morningside neighborhoods on Thursday and Friday. Last month, workers from Lansing made and served meals at the Ronald McDonald House.