The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced that Takata airbag recalls are finally being completed at a faster pace.

Nearly a million vehicles have been repaired in the two-week period ending December 4, though some automakers continue to revise and expand their recall campaigns to include more vehicles and model years, including the 2005-2008 Mazda6, the 2002-2004 Honda CR-V and the 2005-2008 Subaru Legacy and Outback.

The official death tally has risen to eight individuals in the US, representing nine total globally. The incident involved a 2001 vehicle that had been recalled for years but left unrepaired. Operated for most of its service life in a region of high absolute humidity, the vehicle’s driver airbag inflator ruptured and killed the driver.

The agency has also appointed former Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General John D. Buretta to serve as a compliance monitor, overseeing the company’s efforts to comply with a consent order related to violations of federal safety laws.

“[Buretta's team] will play a significant role in helping oversee Takata’s compliance with its obligations under NHTSA enforcement orders, and in implementing the Coordinated Remedy Program to accelerate and prioritize the largest, most complex consumer safety effort in US history,” said NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind.

Takata has been ordered to phase out the controversial ammonium-nitrate propellant that is at the center of the failures, if the company cannot absolutely prove that the propellant is safe. The explosions are believed to be caused by chemical degradation over time when exposed to humidity.

Toyota is reportedly ready to unveil the production Scion C-HR crossover.

The first concept debuted at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, adorned with a Toyota badge. The company suggested the design study previewed a small crossover to slot below the Rav4.

An updated Toyota concept appeared earlier this year in Frankfurt, ahead of the Scion variant’s arrival last month in Los Angeles. Both models feature a sleek profile and futuristic design elements, slightly toned down from the original design though still apparently far from production form.

The latest concepts have five doors, LED projector headlights and LED daytime running lights.

The C-HR will be among the first models built upon Toyota’s New Global Architecture platform, shared with the Prius and other vehicles. The concept’s lightweight hybrid system will be brought to market, though it is unclear if it will arrive with the first run or as a later offering. Combining an electric motor with a high-efficiency gasoline engine, the setup will have a combined output of 121 horsepower.

The production C-HR is slated to make its global debut at the Detroit auto show, sources have told Car and Driver.

The model is viewed as important for the company, particularly for the Scion brand in the US market. Toyota recently predicted that sedans will be almost entirely replaced by compact SUVs as the segment continues to grow at a fast pace. One executive bets the Rav4 will eventually outsell the Camry, among the best-selling nameplates in automotive history.

Live images by Brian Williams.

General Motors has submitted trademark applications that hint at a Buick Regal wagon.

The company has filed to protect the terms Regal Tourx and Tourx, categorized as vehicle nameplates, according to filings spotted by AutoGuide.

Previous rumors have suggested the redesigned 2017 Regal will be built in Germany via GM’s Opel division as a rebadged version of the next-generation Insignia.

The current Regal, introduced for the 2011 model year, is already related to the current-generation Insignia, which is offered as a Sports Tourer wagon (pictured) in certain markets.

The Tourx application suggests the next-generation lineup could include a wagon for the US market, though specific details are unclear and many trademark nameplates never make it to market.

In any case, Opel in 2013 announced that its Rüsselsheim will eventually build Buick-badged vehicles. The comments were interpreted as confirmation that the Regal would no longer be built at GM’s Oshawa, Ontario, factory.

It’s officially winter and Lexus has made a seasonally-appropriate modification to its NX crossover. Going where no tire company has gone before, Lexus has created a set of ice wheels and tires for its compact utility vehicle.

No, these aren’t your typical snow tires, but an actual set of wheels formed totally of ice. Lexus says the idea for its take on winter tires was inspired by the company’s mission of “creating amazing.”

Although it only takes an hour or so to make an ice cube in a freezer, Lexus’s ice wheels took substantially longer. It took a team three-month to research, design and test the NX’s frozen-water wheels. It then took an additional five-days to deep freeze the car at -22 degrees Fahrenheit. Lexus notes that the chilled NX started on the first try. To enhance the look, Lexus also included in-wheel LED lighting.

The Lexus NX and its ice wheels were successfully taken for a test drive somewhere in London. Lexus didn’t mention how long the ice wheels lasted before conventional rubber had to be put back on.

Though admittedly pointless, there is something cool about seeing a crossover riding around on essentially on four blocks of ice.

Mazda has appointed a new chief executive for its North American operations, as current CEO Jim O’Sullivan plans to retire.

O’Sullivan is said to be the company’s longest-serving president, taking the reins at MNAO in 2003. He is a 40-year industry veteran with 13 years at Mazda, including a role as managing executive director.

“I could not be more sad to see Jim leave Mazda,” said Mazda chief Masamichi Kogai. “Over the years, both MNAO and Mazda itself have been through some difficult times, but Jim has consistently shown strong leadership throughout. With a focus on creating a strong relationship with dealers, he built the sales network we have today in the U.S. and Mexico and led MNAO to increase both sales and profitability and raise the image of the Mazda brand.”

O’Sullivan will be succeeded by Masahiro Moro, currently the company’s global marketing chief. He joined the company in 1983 and previously served in several marketing roles.

While overseeing Mazda’s North America operations, Moro will keep his responsibilities as managing executive officer for global marketing strategy.