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Toyota, Mazda drop Takata as Mitsubishi, Subaru weigh options

It's not a very good time to be Takata right now. Fresh on the heels of longtime partner Honda ditching them, Toyota and Mazda have both come out and said they will not use the company's airbag inflators if they continue to rely on ammonium nitrate. Bloomberg reports that Subaru and Mitsubishi are also contemplating a divorce. "The inflator using ammonium nitrate produced by Takata will not be adopted by Toyota," President Akio Toyoda said during a briefing today. "What's most important above anything else is the safety and peace of mind of customers." Mazda echoed that position, simply saying it "will not use Takata airbag inflators which contain ammonium nitrate in our new cars." When you lose three huge OEM accounts in as many days, it's certainly going to have a deleterious effect on your fortunes. In Takata's case, that's meant a staggering 39-percent drop in their share price over the last three days. Yesterday alone, the company saw a 6.2-percent fall, Bloomberg reports. As the business publication reports, though, Takata isn't going down without a fight. The company is "considering some plans to survive," including a fundraising plan that will see it potentially offer up additional shares for sale. Still, at least one analyst doesn't see whatever company survives staying involved in the airbag inflator business. "I really don't see how they're going to be able to survive as an inflator manufacturer," Valient Market Research founder Scott Upham told Bloomberg. "When your major clients publicly come out and say that they're not going to use your products anymore, it makes this very difficult to sustain your business." News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Carlos Osorio / AP Honda Mazda Mitsubishi Subaru Toyota Safety supplier

Honda recalling 748k Odyssey and Pilot models over airbag concern

American Honda today announced a recall of approximately 748,000 Odyssey and Pilot models due to faulty airbag concerns. The vehicles in question are Odyssey minivans from the 2011 to 2013 model years and Pilot crossovers from the 2009 to 2013 model years.
According to a statement from Honda, driver's side airbags in the affected vehicles were potentially assembled without some of the rivets that secure the bag's plastic cover. Because of this, the airbag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, leading to further occupant injury. As of this writing, no injuries have been reported in conjunction with this issue.
Honda will begin officially notifying owners via mail in mid-February. The automaker urges customers to take their vehicles to an authorized dealership, where vehicles will be inspected and, if necessary, repaired. In lieu of waiting for the snail mail approach, owners may also visit www.recalls.honda.com or can contact the automaker directly at 1.800.999.1009 and select option four.

Honda's slate for Tokyo Auto Salon includes S2000 revival, many Mugens

Honda has pulled back the covers on what we can expect to see at the 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon, including what looks to be an S2000 refresh some four years after the convertible left production. The S2000 Modulo Climax is an "exhibition model" based on the old roadster, but features updated front and rear fascias as well as an interior trimmed out in black and burgundy. Beyond that, details are scarce as hen's teeth.
Honda will also show off a number of vehicles based on the N-One mini, including the N-One Modulo Style, Mugen Racing N-One Concept and an N-One worked up by the Japan Nailist Association. That last creation features plenty of rhinestone decoration. (We wish we were joking.) Mugen will also display a tarted-up CR-V Design Study as well as the CR-Z Mugen RZ: a 300-unit specialty vehicle.
Meanwhile, the manufacturer's motorcycle arm will show off the Goldwing F6B, previously seen at EICMA 2012 as well as the CB1300 Super Four Special Edition and the NC700X. The automaker will also pepper its stand with a few of its racing machines for the public to enjoy. Check out the full press release below.