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Weekly Recap: Geneva's splendor reflects growing demand for ultra-luxury cars

Geneva is one of the most glittering auto shows in the world, but the list of high-powered and bespoke luxury cars was decadent this year even by the rich standards of the Swiss exhibition. It's great for enthusiasts to revel in the flame-throwing Aston Martin Vulcan, the racing-inspired elegance of the Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 concept and the insane performance of the Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce, but there's a reason for all of this opulence: the luxury market is big business. And it's growing. IHS Automotive forecasts that so-called ultra-premium sales will nearly triple this decade from 123,000 to 353,000 units around the world. The estimate includes brands like Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari and Rolls-Royce, but doesn't count BMW, Mercedes and Audi, which offer less expensive models in addition to their high-end flagships. Though IHS includes Porsche and its relatively large volume in the study, the ultra-premium segment is still set grow at about the same rate, even without the German automaker's figures. So what is propelling all of this growth in the most expensive segment of the auto industry? Put simply, there's more rich people. IHS Automotive principal analyst Tim Urquhart pointed to economic expansion in China, market recovery in the United States and a surge in the lucrative technology sector as contributing factors. This dovetails with a research report by UK-based Oxfam, an international relief organization, which found the world's richest one-percent owned 48 percent of global wealth in 2014, and it's expected to increase to more than 50 percent by 2016. View 17 Photos Carmakers are moving quickly to capitalize with new products, expanding their portfolios with low-volume speedsters like the 800-hp V12 Vulcan at Geneva, and plans to enter new segments, like Rolls-Royce's strategy to make an SUV. "Ultra-premium carmakers are looking to explore ways of growing their product offerings, and thus their bottom lines, in this most potentially profitable of segments," Urquhart wrote in a report on the Geneva show. In a nutshell, there are more choices for people with more money. It's a good time to have expensive taste. Other News & Notes 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata production launches It won't be long now. The 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata arrives later this year, and it's officially in production. Mazda announced this week that the roadster began rolling off the assembly line at its Ujina factory in Hiroshima, Japan.

Mazda replaces owner's crashed 2016 Miata with brand new car

The first shipment of 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miatas are finally here. Imagine the jubilant sensation of being among the 1,000 people to pick up the limited Launch Edition, only to feel eviscerated when the new roadster crashes hardly a mile away from the dealer. While it must be an absolutely horrendous experience, Mazda North American Operations is making things right for one forlorn couple. In what was surely among the first recorded crashes of the 2016 Miata in the US, a husband and wife recently went to pick up their new Launch Edition, but they were rear-ended almost as soon as they left the dealer. According to Jalopnik, the hit also caused the roadster to slam into the car in front and might have bent the frame. To make a bad situation even worse, the wife also needed to be taken to the hospital to be checked out. Mazda is coming to the couple's aid with a generous gift. Knowing that it's utterly unfair for the new owners not to enjoy some top-down driving while the summer lasts, the company is actually sending the pair another Launch Edition to replace their crashed example. According to a Facebook post by the dealer (below), the car should be available sometime next month. Hopefully, the couple can enjoy thousands of miles of roadster driving with this one. After hearing about one of our customers getting rear-ended just minutes after picking up their new Miata, Mazda is sending out a replacement next month! #LongLiveTheRoadster Posted by Tom Bush Mazda on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 Related Video:

Mazda recalls Takata airbags in B-Series

The Basics: Mazda will recall 19,000 examples of the 2004–2006 B-Series pickup. The Problem: The pickups contain Takata-sourced driver's side airbag inflators that could rupture in a crash. The spray of metal shrapnel could injure or even kill occupants. Injuries/Deaths: None reported in the Mazda pickups. However, a rupturing airbag inflator killed the driver in a Ford Ranger, which is identical to the B-Series. The Fix: Mazda will replace the driver's side inflator. If You Own One: Mazda plans to notify affected owners as soon as dealers have the replacement parts. More Information: Mazda already recalled 442,266 driver's side Takata inflators and 416,475 of them on the passenger's side. The affected models included the 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2006 B-Series, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and some examples of the 2004 MPV. Ford also issued an expanded safety campaign for 391,394 examples of the 2004-2006 Ranger. Related Video: Mazda Announces Recall On B-Series Vehicles With Takata Driver-Side Frontal Airbag Inflators WASHINGTON, DC (February 1, 2016) – Mazda has decided to recall all 2004–2006 model year B-Series Trucks with Takata driver-side frontal air bag inflators. Approximately 19,000 vehicles are affected in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Saipan. There have been no reports of accidents or injuries on the Mazda-badged vehicles subject to this recall. Model Year 2007-2009 B-Series Trucks with Takata passenger-side frontal air bag inflators are part of a previous recall. Approximately 19,000 vehicles are affected in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Saipan. Below is a summary of Mazda models with a passenger- and/or driver-side front Takata air bag inflators currently being recalled. Total Number of Driver's frontal air bag inflator - 442,266 Total Number of Passenger's frontal air bag inflator - 416,475 2003-2008 Mazda6 2004-2006 B-Series 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 2004-2008 RX-8 (All Driver-side / Certain Passenger-side) 2004 MPV (Certain Vins only. Click here to see if your vehicle is included.) Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through more than 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.