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New death linked to Takata airbag crisis, Honda recalls 170k vehicles overseas

The safety crisis surrounding Takata's exploding airbags continues to expand. In the latest revelation, Honda confirms another death linked to the faulty parts, and the company is expanding its recall of the components. However, none of the newly added vehicles are in the United States.
With the confirmation of this report, there are now five deaths linked to the faulty airbags. According to The New York Times, a pregnant woman in Malaysia was killed on July 27 in a 2003 Honda City when she crashed into another vehicle, and the inflator ruptured. This was the first announced case outside of the US.
The faulty part in the woman's car was reportedly made at a now-closed Takata factory in Georgia, according to the NYT, and it's the first known example from that location. In response, Honda recalled about 170,000 vehicles in Europe and Asia to replace the potentially bad inflators. The latest campaign brings the total number of recalled vehicles worldwide to around 14.3 million units.

New Honda Civic Natural Gas goes on sale end of November

For folks who prefer to put natural gas directly into their vehicle rather than converting it to electricity first, CNG vehicles offer a cleaner alternative to gasoline power while still using a traditional powertrain. If you're looking for a sedan that runs on CNG, your current options are pretty limited - especially in the US - and you'll almost certainly be taking a look at Honda. The 2015 Honda Civic Natural Gas goes on sale starting November 19 in 37 states. The new CNG-powered Civic sedan has a base MSRP of $26,740 (not including $790 destination fee). Opt for the Leather Navi trim, and you're still looking at a starting price below $30,000 (before destination), at $29,390. It comes equipped with a seven-inch touchscreen audio display, rearview camera and LaneWatch display as standard features. It's built at Honda's Greensburg, IN manufacturing facility. The 2015 Civic Natural Gas can only be had with the five-speed automatic transmission. Its fuel economy is rated at a gasoline gallon equivalent of 27 miles per gallon in the city/38 highway/31 combined. It's not quite as impressive as the Civic Hybrid's 44/47/45 rating, but you will be burning natural gas, which burns cleaner and can be sourced from North America, if you're into that sort of thing. Furthermore, the American Council for Energy-Efficient Economy called the Civic Natural Gas one of its top 10 greenest vehicles of 2014, and Kelley Blue Book as one of its 10 Best Green Cars. Learn more in Honda's press release below. 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid and Civic Natural Gas Provide Superior Environmental Performance With Sophistication and Value - Automotive and environmental experts recognize the Civic Hybrid and Civic Natural Gas as among the best green cars of 2014 - Available features include 7-inch touchscreen Display Audio, leather-trimmed seats, Honda LaneWatch™ and standard rearview camera - 2015 Civic Hybrid launches Nov. 5, and 2015 Civic Natural Gas goes on-sale in 37 states beginning Nov. 19 TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Joining the already released 2015 Civic Sedan, Civic Coupe and Civic Si, the 2015 Civic Hybrid and Civic Natural Gas vehicles provide consumers with additional choices for even greater fuel efficiency and environmental performance from an already fuel-efficient lineup. The 2015 Civic Hybrid launches at Honda dealers nationwide on November 5 with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $24,7352.

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.