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Carmakers continue to support Takata even as the Japanese supplier suffers widening scrutiny by United States regulators over airbags blamed for at least five deaths.

Toyota, seeking to speed up progress on a recall begun in 2013, is anticipating a greater supply of inflators for Takata airbags being replaced in millions of cars.

Peugeot is planning to reduce the workforce at its UK headquarters in Coventry by 90 jobs.

Tata-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced the launch of 'justDrive', a new connectivity platform that it says integrates multiple smartphone apps into a single, voice-activated in-car experience.

The US Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that it is calling for a national recall of vehicles with certain driver's side frontal airbags made by Takata.

Jaguar Land Rover North America will recall 28,037 model year 2014 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport and 2013-2014 LR4 vehicles manufactured 16 September 2013, to 30 June 2014.

EnerG2 and BASF have announced a strategic partnership. EnerG2 and BASF entered into a comprehensive collaboration to improve and scale-up the production of EnerG2's proprietary carbon materials for use in supercapacitor electrodes and as a performance additive in start-stop lead-acid batteries.

Faurecia says there is "clear willingness" from the Chinese government to implement structural reform as the formerly electric pace of growth starts to slowly ebb.

Ford's Lincoln brand has officially introduced "Lincoln Black Label", something it says will redefine what it means to shop for, purchase and own a luxury automobile.

News 19 Nov, 2014

Drivers identified as 'at risk' could be asked to complete online tutorials

Mazda has revealed the new Mazda CX-3 small SUV crossover in a world debut at the LA auto show.

Audi's public relations chief in China, Lu Minjie, is under investigation by the central Chinese government's anti-corruption taskforce, according to Chinese media.

Designers used a light touch to refresh the 2015 Chrysler 300, with a new front fascia and the addition of a rotary shifter as the biggest differences for what will be the 60th anniversary of the original 300 in 1955.

Aiming to lure more upscale customers to its Explorer crossover, Ford today at the Los Angeles Auto Show is unveiling a freshened 2016 Explorer with more available content.

Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile, PSA's joint venture with Dongfeng Motor, will take over the vehicle import business currently run by the French automaker's Asia office. The move integrates PSA's vehicle distribution channels in China.

Following are some key events leading to the recall of several million cars fitted with potentially defective air bags made by Japanese supplier Takata.

From GMM

Haas F1 Team, Formula 1's new team for 2016, is not fully determined to field an American driver.

The American team is currently setting up camp alongside founder Gene Haas' NASCAR operation in North Carolina.

However, Finland's Turun Sanomat newspaper quoted boss Gunther Steiner as saying there will also be an operations headquarters in Oxford, UK.

Team owner Gene Haas has said an American driver would be ideal, but Steiner insists: "We want, above all, an experienced driver. We're a new team so we're not going to take too many risks. We need to be clever."

Gunther Steiner and Gene Haas. (Photo: WRi2)

(Story update, see below)

Marussia Formula 1 team's administrators are hopeful the small team can compete in the final race of 2014, the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi.

Marussia missed the races in Austin and in Brazil, and ceased trading at the start of November with around 200 staff made redundant.

Sky Sports News HQ understands administrators are still in negotiations with an investment group about the team's future and are trying to secure enough funding to be on the grid this weekend.

Sky reports that Marussia had not arrived as of Wednesday afternoon.

The Twitter feed of the Yas Marina circuit posted this photo of technicians of engine supplier Ferrari wearing Marussia team clothing in the paddock of the circuit.


UPDATE
According to Race Car Engineering magazine, engineers and mechanics had prepared the seemingly defunct team's MR03 cars overnight and got as far as them leaving the factory for Abu Dhabi, however a lack of funds has preventing them reaching the circuit.

Jules Bianchi's family published a statement today, Wednesday November 19, carrying the last news about the Marussia Formula 1 driver who's been injured during the Japanese Grand Prix.

The release was sent from Nice, France and not from japan like it was the case with the previous messages.

“Almost seven weeks after Jules' accident at Suzuka Circuit, and following a challenging period of neurological intensive care, we are able to announce that Jules has made an important step.

“Jules is no longer in the artificial coma in which he was placed shortly after the accident, however he is still unconscious. He is breathing unaided and his vital signs are stable, but his condition is still classified as ‘critical'. His treatment now enters a new phase concerned with the improvement of his brain function.

“Jules' neurological condition remains stable. Although the situation continues to be serious, and may remain so, it was decided that Jules was sufficiently stable to be repatriated to his native France. We are relieved, therefore, to confirm that Jules was transferred aeromedically last night from the Mie Prefectural General Medical Center in Yokkaichi, Japan, to Le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice (CHU), where he arrived just a short time ago. Jules is now in the intensive care unit of Professors Raucoules and Ichai, where his care will also be monitored by Professor Paquis, Head of Neurosurgery Service.

“We are thankful that the next phase of Jules' treatment can continue close to home, where he can be surrounded and supported by his wider family and friends. We have nothing but praise for the outstanding care provided by the Mie Prefectural General Medical Center since the accident. We owe the medical staff there an enormous debt of gratitude for everything they have done for Jules, and also for our family, during what is a very difficult time for us. In particular, we would like to extend our thanks to Doctors Kamei and Yamamichi, and also to Mr Ogura, all part of the team of personnel caring for Jules in Japan.”

Anthony Hamilton, the father of Mercedes driver Lewis, designed a revolutionary new concept to be tested this weekend during the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi.

The device, called ‘Info Wing' is designed primarily to provide race-position data to TV viewers and spectators sitting in the grandstands.

'Info Wing' (Image: Hamilton Management Group)

It consists of a LED display system that sits on top of the airbox of the engine.

Using information supplied by race control, data can also be displayed on who has set the fastest lap, tire strategy and flag condition via multiple colours.

“The idea behind the system is to provide race position data plus other race information to the viewing public,” Antony Hamilton explained.

'Info Wing' (Image: Hamilton Management Group)

“One of the major problems with watching race cars is knowing who is where and who is who without having to take your eyes off the action. We might not be able to see the LEDs in the bright sunlight, but it is the concept I hope could be of interest,” he declared.

The FIA is firstly to test the ‘Info Wing' on the safety car during its assessment runs of the Yas Marina circuit, either on Thursday or Friday.

Sahara Force India will conduct a further test of the unit on top of their car Tuesday of next week during the two-day test session.