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Honda fined $70 million for failing to report deaths, injuries

The federal agency charged with keeping US motorists safe announced Thursday it has fined Honda $70 million for failing to report death and injury data in a timely manner. Honda failed to report 1,729 incidents involving death or injury over an 11-year period, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration officials. Federal law requires automakers to report deaths, injuries and certain warranty claims. Officials said Thursday that information could have been used to spot trends in automotive defects and potentially save lives. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said it is possible the Department of Justice could conduct a criminal investigation into the failures, but it was not immediately known whether the Justice Department would pursue such charges. NHTSA officials still don't know much about the 1,729 incidents of death or injury that were missing from the Early Warning Reporting records, because in some cases, they still haven't been reported. Mark Rosekind, the agency's new administrator, said Honda is still in the process of sending investigators the missing information. "Our first task will be to review that, and determine actual deaths and injuries," he said. "That data is in the process of coming to us and being processed right now." The $70 million is the largest civil penalty levied against an automaker in history, officials said. It actually consists of two $35 million penalties, the maximum allowed by statute for a single TREAD Act violation. In this case, NHTSA broke the fine into separate violations, one for the missing deaths and injury information and one for the company's failure to report certain warranty-claim information. Honda reached an agreement with the federal government in late December, in which it accepted additional regulatory oversight and third-party audits that will ensure reporting is properly completed in the future. Image Credit: Copyright 2015 Drew Phillips / AOL Government/Legal Honda transportation

Honda Urban SUV Concept leaks out ahead of Detroit debut

Next up on the 2013 Detroit Auto Show embargo-break-a-palooza: the Honda Urban SUV Concept. Thanks to Indian Autos Blog, we now have the first press shots of the small crossover concept - a vehicle that will someday make it to production, riding on the Honda Fit platform.
It may have some big features - namely, the large headlamps, big wheels, and bold body lines - but the Urban SUV Concept will compete with smaller vehicles like the Nissan Juke or Fiat 500L. Indian Autos Blog reports that both 1.6- an 1.8-liter four-cylinder engines are being speculated for use in the production model, as well as a diesel powerplant for foreign markets.
That's all we know for now, but stay tuned to see the full smattering of official images and details as part of this week's Detroit coverage.

Honda Civic Hatchback prototype unmasked

The US hasn't had a Honda Civic hatchback since the seventh-generation model on sale from 2001 to 2005, and over the past 11 years we've watched from afar as Honda cut and polished the Euro-market Civic hatch into a gem of lusty beauty. We will get our turn in 2017 with the tenth-generation model, about to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show as a "prototype" that is a thinly-disguised production model. Compared to the ninth generation currently on sale over The Atlantic, this concept is stronger, sharper, and more sculpted throughout, but especially up front. The curving hoodline on the current car that falls in an undisturbed arc down to the bottom of the front bumper gets straightened out, sitting atop a bluff face packed with jutting features. Sheetmetal peaks and troughs carve up the sides, and the rear hatch emphasizes the angular and distinctions between features like the tailgate and arching boomerang containing the C-shaped lights. Production features on a base model will undoubtedly be toned down, but we could see this concept making for a fine Si or Type R trim, if we're being especially hopeful. View 15 Photos Proportions increase a smidge, the new car 5.1 inches longer, 1.8 inches wider, and sitting .7 inches lower. That puts it about 1.2 inches shorter than the Civic Coupe on sale in the US. The European launch goes down early next year, the US to follow after that. You'll find a little more info in the press release below, we'll have live shots from the show floor as soon as we can. Related Video: CIVIC HATCHBACK PROTOTYPE REDEFINES HONDA'S CORE MODEL FOR EUROPE • Prototype of the next-generation Civic hatchback makes its global premiere at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show • Assertive stance and distinctive new design establishes 10th generation as the sportiest Civic ever • Low, wide proportions and long wheelbase promise engaging driving dynamics while maximising interior space • New Civic hatchback will be available in Europe early in 2017 and will be built at Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) Geneva, March 1, 2016 - The next-generation Civic hatchback makes its global debut in prototype form at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. The design of the prototype heralds a significant step-change from previous versions of Honda's core European model, focusing on provocative design and rewarding driving dynamics. The all-new Civic hatchback will be 30 mm wider, 20 mm lower and 130 mm longer than the current generation.