Takata close to settling US criminal probe

Takata is close to settling a US criminal probe into the exploding airbag scandal, two people familiar with the matter said Wednesday. The Japanese auto parts supplier could reach a final agreement with the US Department of Justice before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office January 20, the sources told AFP, broadly confirming a report in the Wall Street Journal. Officials want Takata to recognize its wrongdoing and pay a financial penalty that could exceed $1 billion, one source said.