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Former NHTSA chief may lead automaker-backed Takata investigation

An automaker-led effort may see the former head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration take on the probe into the Takata airbag inflator disaster. A coalition of at least ten automakers is in talks with former NHTSA administrator David Kelly, with unnamed sources familiar with the discussions telling The Wall Street Journal he is "among those we are considering to coordinate" the investigation.The Detroit News, meanwhile, is reporting he could be hired "in the coming days." Takata, the Japanese seatbelt and airbag manufacturer, has been the center of a defect scandal since last year. Takata is under fire for air bag inflators that can explode, shooting out metal and plastic pieces. At least five deaths and dozens of injuries have been linked to the problem worldwide. Earlier this year, Honda Motor Co., the automaker with the biggest exposure to the defective Takata air bags, was fined $70 million in the U.S. for not reporting to regulators some 1,729 complaints that its vehicles caused deaths and injuries, and for not reporting warranty claims. It was the largest civil penalty levied against an automaker. Should he take the role, Kelly would be at the fore of an investigation being assembled by an alliance of ten automakers, which includes the Detroit Three and Honda. Toyota first suggested a joint investigation back in December, The Journal reports. Kelly's goals, meanwhile, will be many. The Detroit News reports that questions abound regarding not only the recalled airbag inflators and the conditions that cause them to fail, but the whether the replacement units will have similar problems in the future. The automaker committee is far from the only one analyzing the airbag issue. Takata has assembled its own panel, led by former Secretary of Transportation Samuel Skinner, while NHTSA's deputy administrator, David Friedman, has brought in an outside engineering firm to investigate the inflators, The Detroit News reports. Separately, on Friday Takata Corp., the Japanese seatbelt and air-bag maker at the center of a defect scandal, is expecting more red ink for the fiscal year through March. It is projecting a 31 billion yen ($264 million) loss, worse than the previous forecast for a 25 billion yen ($214 million) loss, despite higher sales expected for the fiscal year. Ten automakers have recalled about 12 million vehicles in the U.S. and about 19 million globally for problems with the air bags.

Takata doubling production of replacement airbag inflators

Takata is scrambling to fill the massive backlog of orders for replacement airbag inflators, announcing that a recently completed pair of production lines are only the beginning of a production ramp up. The company has kicked up the pace on the two new production lines at its Monclova, Mexico factory, increasing the plant's production from 300,000 to 450,000 units per month. As AN reports, though, even at that pace, it'd take Takata years to produce enough replacements for the 25 million recalled vehicles. A spokesperson confirmed to AN that, globally, Takata will be producing 900,000 replacement airbag inflators by September. Even at that pace, it'd still take around two years to provide a new inflator for every affected vehicle. That's why other companies, perhaps smelling blood in the water, are providing their own replacements for the faulty inflators. We've already reported on Honda's plans to team with the world's largest airbag producer, Autoliv. Now, though, AN has confirmed that the Swedish supplier is in negotiations to provide millions of additional replacement inflators to other automakers affected by the Takata recall. News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Carlos Osorio / AP Aftermarket Recalls Honda Safety Takata airbag recall autoliv

2015 Honda Fit pricing leak shows slight increases across the board

Pricing for the next-generation 2015 Honda Fit has has been circulating online after a poster going by the username ChrisAP1 on tlxforums.com released the figures. None of these prices include the destination charge, which was not specified (the outgoing model's charge was $790).
According to the leak, the new Fit is being offered in three trim levels - LX, EX and EX-L. A base LX model with a six-speed manual starts at $15,525, with the new CVT running $800 more at $16,325. All cars come standard with air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, Bluetooth and LED taillights.
A six-speed EX will run buyers $17,435 or $18,235 for the automatic. Upgrading to this trim nets buyers a power moonroof, a proximity key, paddle shifters on CVT models, Honda's LaneWatch system, fog lights and a 7-inch touchscreen radio. Finally, the EX-L trim is only available with the CVT for $19,800 or with added navigation for $20,800. It adds heated leather seats, a leather shift knob and steering wheel, plus turn signals in the sideview mirrors.