Air bag victim urges owners to seek repairs
DETROIT — A woman who was seriously hurt by an exploding Takata air bag inflator in a 2013 crash is helping Honda’s effort to persuade car owners to get the dangerous parts replaced.
Stephanie Erdman, an Air Force officer, nearly lost her right eye when the inflator in her 2002 Civic exploded into pieces in the crash. She is appearing in Facebook videos that will be targeted to Honda owners who have yet to get free repairs under the massive Takata recalls.
The videos come just days after a report found that 19 automakers have replaced only 43 percent of recalled Takata inflators in the U.S., despite the threat that they can break apart and hurl shrapnel into drivers and passengers. Nineteen people worldwide, including 13 in the U.S., have been killed by the faulty inflators. At least 180 have been injured.
Semiconductor makers plan $6 billion merger
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Marvell Technology Group said Monday that it would acquire Cavium for $6 billion in a deal that will bring together two rivals in the market for high-end chips used in data centers, wireless communications and selfdriving cars.
Marvell, based in Hamilton, Bermuda, has its U.S. headquarters in Santa Clara. Cavium is based in San Jose.
The acquisition is the latest in a line of shakeups among semiconductor makers. Last week, Qualcomm turned down a proposed $103 billion takeover bid by communications chipmaker Broadcom. Broadcom has said it intends to continue with its acquisition plans. Broadcom is also acquiring Brocade Communications for $5.5 billion, while Qualcomm is in the middle of a $38 billion bid to buy NXP Semiconductors.
Entries accepted for Veterans Business Battle
Veterans Business Battle is accepting applications for its 2018 competition at Rice University.
The annual event began in 2015 as a partnership between Entrepreneurs’ Organization of Houston and Rice Veterans in Business Association with a goal of inspiring and encouraging former military members to become entrepreneurs.
Veteran business owners pitch their companies to a panel of investors for a chance at investments, partnerships and prize money. In the last three years, more than $2.5 million in investment offers have been extended to finalists, according to a news release.
Submit an application at www.vetbizbattle.com by Feb. 1. Businesses must be majority owned by an honorably discharged military veteran living in the U.S. Both early stage businesses and existing companies needing growth capital are encouraged to apply.
Finalists will be invited to make their pitch April 13 and April 14 at Rice.
Confederate Motors changing name, engines
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — High-end motorcycle maker Confederate Motors announced Monday it is changing its name and abandoning internal combustion engines.
The Birminghambased company will be known as Curtiss Motorcycle Co., after aviation and motorcycling pioneer Glenn H. Curtiss.
The Curtiss brand will feature electric-powered bikes that the company says will “fit every pocketbook.” The last Confederate-branded motorcycle, the FA-13 Combat Bomber, retails for $155,000.
The company didn’t offer an explanation for the name change.
Tyson Foods to build plant in Tennessee
HUMBOLDT, Tenn. — Tyson Foods says it plans to build a new chicken production complex in Tennessee, a $300 million project that is expected to create more than 1,500 local jobs when the facility opens in late 2019.
Safety group calls for recall of minivans
An auto safety group is asking the government for a recall of Chrysler Pacifica minivans over complaints the engines can stall without warning.
The Center for Auto Safety petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Monday, asking for a recall of 150,000 minivans from the 2017 model year.
Fiat Chrysler says it takes customer concerns seriously and doesn’t know of any crashes or injuries due to the issue.
The NHTSA said it will review the petition “and then take any appropriate action.”
In other news …
• The Treasury Department auctioned $42 billion in three-month bills at 1.285 percent, up from 1.240 percent last week. Another $36 billion in six-month bills was auctioned at 1.415 percent, up from 1.360 percent.
• The Federal Reserve said that the average yield for one-year Treasury bills rose to 1.60 percent Friday from 1.55 percent.