From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International, this is To the Point.

General Motors still in the hot seat, but sales are soaring.

Hello again, I'm Armin Alney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International,

a daily look at the issues Americans care about most. For years, General Motors ignored defects and ignition systems

until deaths and injuries forced the issue of auto safety into the open. Since then, there's been a

record number of highly publicized recalls by GM and other companies, too. But sales of new cars

have gone through the roof.

Where's the backlash?

Where does that consumer confidence come from?

Are new cars that much safer than old ones?

When the average car in America is 11 years old,

how many dangerous vehicles are still on the road?

Today's talking point, fortune, truth, and faith in the new

China. First, here's the news. Listen to KCRW's 24-hour all-news channel, stream BBC World

Service, NPR and KCRW programs. Continuous coverage and accessible via our smartphone app or online at kCRW.com.

Support for To The Point comes from the members of KCRW and from the Public Radio International

Program Fund. Hello again, Warren Alney. Back with To the Point. General Motors risked

its reputation by instituting a record number of recalls after news of deaths and injuries due to faulty ignition switches.

The company has admitted it failed for years to address safety problems.

So why are sales back to where they were before the recession?

Today's talking point in 25 years, China's transformed itself 10 times faster than Britain's Industrial Revolution

at 100 times the scale. We'll hear what that's meant for billionaires, bloggers, and

...