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Honda recalls 2.7 million vehicles for new air bag inflator defect

WASHINGTON — Honda said on Tuesday it will recall 2.7 million older U.S. vehicles in North America for potentially defective air bag inflators. The defect involves a different type of Takata inflator than those that have prompted the largest-ever auto safety recalls worldwide covering more than 42 million U.S. vehicles by 19 automakers with Takata air bag inflators. The new recall covers Honda and Acura automobiles from the 1996 through 2003 model years. Honda said it is aware of one field rupture of an inflator in the new recall campaign — a 2012 crash in Texas that resulted in an injury — and two in junkyards in Japan. The campaign covers 2.4 million U.S. vehicles and 300,000 in Canada, Honda said, adding that it has not determined recall numbers for other countries. Takata issued a new defect notice in November for inflators from four automakers, including Honda. Honda said all three vehicles "potentially were exposed to unusually high amounts of moisture prior to the rupture events." Honda said the recalls cover driver front airbag inflators manufactured with non-azide propellant and said "all inspections and repairs will begin in approximately one year, as replacement parts from alternative suppliers are not yet available." Honda said it "regrets any inconvenience or distress that this situation may cause to our customers as we seek to resolve this situation. Honda believes that the risk of improper airbag deployment in its vehicles remains very low at this time, but we cannot absolutely guarantee the performance of any recalled part." Related Video:

Acura organizes new business division to confront falling sedan sales

Honda and Acura North America have announced a major restructuring of operations in hopes of turning around Acura's flagging business. For 2013, sales for Acura's sedans dropped 10.4 percent, while its CUV sales grew by 21 percent. The newly formed Acura Business Planning Office will attempt to right the ship.
As part of the restructuring, Acura is promoting Erik Berkman from President of Honda R&D Americas to lead a new division called the Acura Business Planning Office. Berkman has been with Honda since 1982 and led development of the 2006 Accord. He was also the first US engineer to head North American research and development and has been head of Honda Performance Development since 2008. "Erik's appointment to the new Acura Business Planning Office is a clear indication of the high priority we place on Acura," said Honda spokesperson Jeffrey Smith to Automotive News.
American Honda Motor President and CEO Tetsuo Iwamura is also going to be working to improve the business. He has been elected chairman of American Honda's board, and has simultaneously taken the new position of Corporate Brand Officer to improve the management of the company's brands.

Acura to debut RLX sedan and ARX-05 racecar at Monterey

It's Monterey Car Week, culminating in the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and Acura plans to stay busy throughout, with debuts of its redesigned RLX flagship sedan and ARX-5 prototype racecar at several venues. In advance of those two reveals, Acura released two teaser videos (shown above and below), for those of us who can't make it to Pebble Beach. We told you quite a lot about the RLX last week and about the ARX-5 just before that. Sales of the previous generation have been slow, but this redesign, from its new diamond pentagon grille on back, could rectify that. Acura kicks off the week Tuesday as exclusive automotive sponsor of the Carmel-By-The Sea Concours on the Avenue, in Carmel's Devendorf Park. That's where it will debut the 377-horsepower 2018 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid. The NSX, NXS GT3 racecar, MDX Sport Hybrid and redesigned 2018 TLX A-Spec sedan will also be on display. On Friday at The Quail, Acura will unveil the ARX-05 prototype and will again show off the rest of the lineup. On Saturday, the ARX-05 will join a display of historic Acura racecars at this year's Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. And on Sunday, the ARX-05 will be featured on the lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Dave Marek, Acura's global creative director, will serve as a Pebble Beach guest judge. Related Video: Related Gallery 2018 Acura RLX View 11 Photos Image Credit: Acura Design/Style Motorsports Acura Coupe Luxury Racing Vehicles Sedan