THE CAR COACH REPORTS: WEEK IN REVIEW
KNOCK-OFF AIRBAGS EDITION
Last week I wrote about the seemingly endless stream of auto recalls that have plagued the automotive industry in recent years. This week, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a warning about the dangers of counterfeit airbags: http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/2012/Safety+Advisory:+NHTSA+Alerting+Consumers+to+Dangers+of+Counterfeit+Air+Bags
These phony airbags have been traced back to China. Just like fake designer purses and knock-off Ray Bans, counterfeit airbags are close imitations of the real thing, often complete with the insignia of major automakers. Unlike your bootleg DVD and fake Rolex, however, a counterfeit airbag can kill you.
It’s very lucky that no deaths or injuries related to fake airbags have been reported so far. Best-case scenario: the fake airbag never deploys. Worst-case scenario: the airbag explodes and bombards you with shrapnel. Check out this grim footage from NHTSA of a phony airbag deploying: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HhZsAPl2d8
I don’t know about you, but that’s enough to make me wince.
According to the NHTSA, these counterfeit airbags have only been introduced in the last three years and so only affect a small percentage of cars. If you bought your car new or haven’t replaced your airbags in the last three years, you should be in the clear. If, however, you suspect you’re at risk, you should have your airbags inspected immediately. Visit http://www.safercar.gov/ for more information.
In other news, The Christian Science Monitor reports that Italy’s bicycle sales exceeded its automotive sales for the first time since World War II: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2012/1003/Arrivederci-auto!-Italy-s-bike-purchases-outstrip-car-sales
Cycling advocates argue that bikes offer Italians a healthy, cheap, and green alternative in a nation that’s still waiting for an economic rebound. Something tells me that Italy’s infamously narrow and chaotic streets aren’t exactly cyclist friendly.
All roads may lead to Rome, but you won’t catch me riding a push-pedal on the Autostrada.
What do you think?
Post your comments at http://laurenfix.blogspot.com/
My Final Thought:
Do battery cars actually contribute more to global warming? Check out this article by The Detroit Bureau: http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2012/10/could-battery-cars-pose-environmental-threat/
According to a new study, electric car technology requires more energy to produce, which can result in more CO2 emissions than internal combustion engine vehicles. In fact, the report concludes that, “the global warming potential from electric vehicle production is about twice that of conventional vehicles.”
So remind me again why the government insists that this is the only way to a healthier environment? The plot thickens…
Love your car! See you next week!
--Lauren Fix
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