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Nissan Silvia smuggler faces maximum 20-year, $250k sentence

Thinking about trying to sneak a JDM car into the United States? Better think twice, because according to the Clarion-Ledger, one man in Mississippi has found himself in hot water for smuggling a Nissan Silvia into the country. Few details of the case are available, but the Silvia has a strong following among JDM enthusiasts despite (or perhaps because of) the fact that it was never officially sold Stateside. The low-slung coupe was offered in Japan and other markets from 1964 through 1968 and again from 1974 to 2002. Though it was powered principally with a four-cylinder engine, its front-engine/rear-drive layout made it popular on the tuning and drifting scenes. The 240SX that was offered Stateside was related, but not strictly speaking the same vehicle. It's likely because the Silvia was never certified for use on American roads (and because the culprit apparently didn't go through the correct channels) that the unidentified man in Ocean Springs, MS, is reportedly facing a $250,000 fine and up to 20 years in prison. Here's hoping whatever else he's got in the driveway is just as fast, because it looks like he'll have a lot of time to make up for. News Source: The Clarion-LedgerImage Credit: Copyright 2015 AOL Government/Legal Nissan Coupe import gray market nissan silvia

West Coast labor dispute hampers Japanese automakers' US plants

The ongoing labor dispute between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and port owners along the West Coast is starting to affect more Japanese automakers building vehicles in the US. The issue already forced Honda and Subaru to take the expensive option of airlifting some parts into the US weeks ago, and according to USA Today, Toyota and Nissan have begun doing so, as well. The choice hasn't been cheap, though, and Subaru's chief financial officer estimated that the decision cost around $60 million more per month than sending components by cargo ship. The effects continue to radiate, according to USA Today, and shortages of some models are possible. Honda is slowing production at its factories in Ohio, Indiana and Canada because the automaker doesn't have enough transmissions and electronics for some vehicles. Toyota already cut back on overtime at some factories. Nissan has only seen a small effect from the issue, though, because of its local suppliers. Dock workers and port owners have been negotiating on a new contract since last year, and the union has organized work slowdowns in response. According to USA Today, the automakers could move shipments to Canada or Mexico, but it would take longer for parts to arrive. News Source: USA TodayImage Credit: Mark Ralston / AFP / Getty Images Earnings/Financials Plants/Manufacturing UAW/Unions Honda Nissan Subaru Toyota shipping port labor dispute

Nissan Sentra crash rating improves, now Top Safety Pick [w/video]

After a poor showing in the hands of the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety back in 2013, Nissan is back for another round of crash testing with its 2015 Sentra, and it's walking away with a Top Safety Pick. The compact sedan's small overlap front crash test rating improved from "poor" to "good", owing to internal improvements to the A-pillar, door sill and front structure, IIHS said in a statement. The dummy, in this most recent test, was at a low risk of injuries because of the structural changes. Take a look at video of the Sentra's small overlap crash test, available up top, and the official press release down below. 2015 Nissan Sentra earns TOP SAFETY PICK award ARLINGTON, Va. - The 2015 Nissan Sentra has improved from a poor to good rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's small overlap front crash test, qualifying for the TOP SAFETY PICK award. The small car's front structure, A-pillar and door sill were modified to reduce intrusion in small overlap crashes. In addition, the side curtain airbag was lengthened to protect the driver's head. In the latest test, the driver space was maintained well, with maximum intrusion of less than 5 inches at the lower door hinge pillar. The dummy's movement was well-controlled. The head hit the front airbag and stayed there until rebound, while the side curtain airbag had enough forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects. Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of injuries in a crash of this severity. In contrast, the 2013-14 Sentra didn't hold up as well in the test. Intrusion measured as much as 13 inches at the lower hinge pillar. The dummy's head slid off the left side of the frontal airbag, and the side curtain airbag didn't offer adequate coverage. Measures from the dummy indicated that injuries to the left leg would be possible in a crash of this severity. Introduced in 2012, the small overlap test replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or an object such as a tree or a utility pole. The Sentra's good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests carry over to the 2015 model year. To qualify for the 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK award, a vehicle must have good ratings in those four tests and a good or acceptable rating in the small overlap test. Related Video: