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WSJ investigation reveals Takata may have hidden testing failures

We're not sure how much more Takata can get wrong concerning its airbag fiasco. The Wall Street Journal says it reviewed internal documents submitted during litigation that reveal US engineers had concerns about altered test data for at least a decade, from 2000 to 2010. This comes after Taktata's largest customer, Honda, stopped doing business with the company, publicly calling Takata out for "misrepresented and manipulated test data." On top of that, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hit the Japanese company with an open-ended fine of $70 million. Ford took away its business, as have Toyota and Mazda. The latest recall tall has surpassed 19 million vehicles in the US alone. The in-house memos show US employees complaining among themselves that their Japanese equivalents were burying validation test failures and changing the results of validation tests. Such tests are conducted to show automakers that Takata products met specification, and employees specifically cite Honda as the recipient of those edited or redacted reports. One US engineer wrote that the "prettying up" of data "confounded my engineers," and "has gone beyond all reasonable bounds and now most likely constitutes fraud." The engineer apparently said his team made sure that the products were up to spec by using alternative data. Takata said the issues the Journal article covers don't have anything to do with the exploding airbags, and that in one case the problem with the airbag inflator was resolved, and in another case the problem airbag inflators didn't reach production. Takata admitted to the Journal that there have been past instances of "selective, incomplete or inaccurate data" in customer validation reports and apologized, laying the situation at the feet of employees trying to meet production deadlines. News Source: Wall Street JournalImage Credit: KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images Government/Legal Recalls Honda Safety

Honda Civic Si making big debut at 2016 LA Auto Show

Auto shows love attracting attention, even if it doesn't necessarily fit in with an automaker's plans. We saw an example of that today when the Los Angeles Auto Show let slip in a press release that Honda is introducing the first hot version of its excellent Civic, the new Si. Listed near the top of a release highlighting the "50 vehicle debuts and 25 press conferences" coming to southern California next week, the LAAS announced the Civic Si would make its global debut alongside a slew of crossovers. Seriously, just about everything else mentioned in the press release is a crossover-y thing. Anyone remember when LA was the green auto show? We already have a fair idea of what the new Civic Si will look like when it arrives in LA – angrier than the base Civic but not so mean as the Type R "Concept" shown in Paris. To dive a bit deeper into what is in store for the Si, we recommend a look at the spy shots up top. Notice the taping around the grille, fascia intakes, and rear end; that's all likely to get a sportier look in LA. Along with a prominent center-exit exhaust, will help Honda bridge the gap between the Civic we know and the car we met last month in Paris. Alongside the Honda, Land Rover Discovery, and Smart ForTwo Electric Drive, expect the Star Wars-spec Nissan Rogue, Alfa Romeo's long-awaited Stelvio crossover, the new Jeep Compass, and a whole heap of other stuff next month. We can't wait. Related Video:

Honda to reveal new Civic Coupe in LA

Honda will reveal 2016 Civic Coupe next week at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The company isn't saying much, but promises the two-door will "showcase even sportier lines" than the sedan that launches this week. The coupe will also feature the same engines as the four-door model, which is powered by either a 2.0-liter inline-four or a 1.5-liter turbo. These will just be the tip of the iceberg in what Honda promises will be "the most diverse and innovative lineup in Civic's 43-year history." Additional variants to follow, including a five-door hatchback, a warmed-up Si model, and a smokin' hot Type R version that will be the first of its kind to be offered in the US. The first sedans will begin arriving at dealers this month, with the coupes to follow in the new year. For now, the 2016 Honda Civic Coupe will be showcased alongside the new Clarity FCV that debuted in Tokyo last month and will be marking its North American debut in LA. Honda to Debut 2016 Civic Coupe and Next-Gen Clarity Fuel Cell at 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show Nov 10, 2015 - TORRANCE, Calif. - World debut of all-new 2016 Civic Coupe elevates sporty styling and dynamic performance on 10th-generation Honda Civic platform - 2016 Civic Coupe marks next step of ambitious cadence in new Civic lineup - Clarity Fuel Cell vehicle makes North American debut in advance of U.S. launch in 2016 Honda will reveal details on two exciting new expressions of its Clean, Safe, Fun brand values at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show with the world debut of the all-new 2016 Civic Coupe, the second in a line of new 10th-generation Civic models that will be launching over the next 18 months, and the North American debut of the all-new Honda Clarity Fuel Cell sedan, providing an early look at Honda's next-generation approach to low-carbon mobility, scheduled to launch in the U.S. next year. 2016 Honda Civic Coupe Built on the same athletic Civic platform that underpins the highly anticipated 2016 Civic Sedan that goes on-sale at Honda dealerships nationwide on November 12, the 2016 Civic Coupe will showcase even sportier lines, with an intimate, high-tech interior and engaging powertrain options to continue Honda's focus on launching the sportiest and most expansive Civic lineup in brand history.