Consumer Information on Takata National Air Bag Recalls

The recall of defective air bag inflators made by Takata now involves 14 vehicle manufacturers and millions of U.S. vehicles. The defective inflators, which are supposed to produce gas that fills air bags to protect vehicle occupants in the event of a crash, can create excess pressure that causes the inflator to explode, sending metal fragments flying into the passenger compartment, which can cause serious injury or death. Since May 2015, when Takata acknowledged that some of its inflators were defective and a risk to safety, NHTSA has been working to organize and speed-up the recall repairs, which constitute the largest and most complex safety recall in U.S. history. The most recent expansion of the recalls, announced January 22, involves more than 5 million inflators, bringing the total to more than 28 million inflators under recall in the United States. NHTSA is coordinating and accelerating the recalls to ensure that every American vehicle has a safe air bag as quickly as possible, and has issued Takata the largest civil penalty in NHTSA history for failing to disclose the defects in its inflators and for providing NHTSA with selective, incomplete, or inaccurate data about its inflators. Consumers can consult this page for updates on the progress of the recalls, for a list of affected makes and models, and for the latest NHTSA actions to address Takata’s defective inflators and protect the American public.

LONDON, March 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ABI Research, the leader in transformative technology innovation market intelligence, forecasts shipments of new cars featuring autonomous parking technologies to grow at 35% CAGR between 2016 and 2026 and for revenues to likewise show growth at 29.5% CAGR.
  
ABI Research identifies three phases of autonomous parking, with each successive stage set to gradually displace the former and all three coexisting to some degree over the next decade. Ultimately, technology will reach a point in which the car parks itself entirely, with no driver assistance or presence within the car required. In Phase 1, the car will provide steering assistance with the driver still inside the vehicle and in control. Phase 2 shows autonomous parking with the driver outside the vehicle but still in control, and Phase 3 introduces autonomous valet parking in which the driver leaves the vehicle at the entrance of a car park. The car then parks itself and waits for the driver to summon it when it's time to leave.

(WASHINGTON, March 14, 2016) Gas prices have jumped by 12 cents per gallon this week, which is the largest weekly increase since early March 2015. Prices increased by double digits due to a decline in gasoline supplies, relatively strong demand and continued refinery maintenance. The national average has moved higher for 18 of the past 20 days for a total of 23 cents per gallon, and today’s price of $1.94 per gallon is the highest average in two months. Relatively low oil costs continue to provide drivers with year-over-year savings at the pump, and consumers are saving 50 cents per gallon compared to this same date last year.

Prices typically move higher at this time of year as gasoline demand begins to increase and refineries conduct seasonal maintenance. This year’s refinery maintenance season is characterized by lower-than-expected prices for crude oil and ample supplies, which should help keep pump prices relatively low compared to recent years. Prices in some regions may move significantly higher in the near term due to fluctuations in local supply and demand associated with continued maintenance and preparations for summer-blend gasoline in advance of the June 1 deadline for retail facilities to sell the cleaner blend.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will hold a pair of public meetings this spring to gather input as it develops guidelines for the safe deployment of automated safety technology. The meetings, to be held in Washington, D.C., and California, will gather information on a series of issues related to safe operation of automated vehicles as part of NHTSA’s efforts to provide manufacturers with operational guidance.

“We are witnessing a revolution in auto technology that has the potential to save thousands of lives,” said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “In order to achieve that potential, we need to establish guidelines for manufacturers that clearly outline how we expect automated vehicles to function – not only safely, but more safely – on our roads.”

BEDFORD HILLS, N.Y., March 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Finest Automobile Auctions, a new auction house focused on delivering the finest experience for collector car enthusiasts, and Proxibid, the world's most trusted way to connect buyers and sellers of highly valued items, have partnered to bring together some of the most sought-after collector cars available at auction with the most sophisticated online bidding solution to ensure collectors from across the globe can bid and buy with confidence. The Finest Automobile Auctions will make its live auction debut at The Elegance at Hershey, one of the most important Concours events of the season, on Saturday, June 11 at 1:00 pm Eastern. Live online bidding for this auction will be available via Proxibid.
  
"As the Chairman of the Board of the Elegance at Hershey, I am excited to announce our partnership with The Finest and their role as Title Sponsor.  The auction will add another exciting component to what already promises to be a great weekend," said Michael Rich of the Elegance at Hershey.