2022 Subaru Legacy Limited on 2040-cars

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Even Ferrari swept up in latest Takata recall expansion

The scope of Takata's deadly airbag problems continues to widen. Eight manufacturers announced recalls Friday that affect more than 12 million vehicles, according to documents filed with federal regulators. The automakers include Honda, which is recalling 4.5 million units, Fiat Chrysler with 4.3 million, Toyota with 1.65 million, and Subaru, which is recalling almost 400,000. Some of these cars include the Saab 9-2x and Pontiac Vibe that Toyota and Subaru made for General Motors. Mazda will recall 730,000 vehicles and Nissan has 400,000 affected units. The smallest numbers were posted by Mitsubishi, with 38,000 Lancers manufactured from 2006 to 2007, and as a noteworthy high-end manufacturer, Ferrari is calling back 2,800 vehicles. These are all US-market cars. Beyond America, the Japanese Transport Ministry has announced seven million additional vehicles will be recalled, which means 19.6 million vehicles across the globe are affected by recalls announced. The defects have been traced to an insufficiently manufactured airbag inflator, which lacks a drying agent that would prevent the inflators from deteriorating over time. Thirteen deaths have been linked to the faulty airbags, which have become unstable and are prone to exploding and showering vehicle occupants with lethal amounts of metal shrapnel. A private equity firm, KKR & Co., has been named in a possible buyout of the struggling Takata. Related Video: News Source: ReutersImage Credit: Shutterstock Government/Legal Recalls Ferrari Honda Mazda Automakers Mitsubishi Nissan Pontiac Subaru Toyota Saab Safety

Subaru builds 3 millionth car in America

Subaru announced August 1 that its Indiana factory completed the 3 millionth American-built Subaru, a Lapis Blue Pearl Outback. The company reached the milestone July 28. Subaru has been building cars at its factory in Lafayette, IN, since 1989. The factory opened as a joint venture with Isuzu, but Subaru eventually took full ownership. Subaru first built North American Legacy sedans and wagons at the factory, followed by the Outback, Baja, and Tribeca. Subaru plans to upgrade the Indiana facility to handle increased demand. The company will double capacity from 218,000 units to 436,000 by March 2019. Subaru will add Impreza production toward the end of the year, and begin production of a three-row crossover in 2018. Related Video:

2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid priced from $25,995* [w/video]

Subaru revealed its 2014 XV Crosstrek Hybrid at the New York Auto Show earlier this year, and with the high-riding hybrid hatchback arriving at dealers by the end of this year, pricing has finally been set. Starting at $25,995 (*not including at least $825 for destination charges, which may vary in certain states), the new hybrid model represents a $4,000 premium over the standard 2014 XV Crosstrek models equipped with the continuously variable transmission.
Stepping up to the XV Crosstrek Hybrid Touring model, which adds navigation, leather seats and a moonroof, raises the price to $29,295. Subaru has still yet to release many key details for the XV Crosstrek Hybrid including fuel economy, combined horsepower and all-electric driving range, but the powertrain consists of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine mated to a 13.4-horsepower electric motor integrated into the CVT. We expect to get official data closer to the car's on-sale date, but until then, scroll down for more info about the 2014 XV Crosstrek Hybrid as well as some b-roll driving footage of the car.