WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US car safety regulator imposed a record US$35 million (S$43.8 million) fine on General Motors on Friday for its slow efforts to report faulty ignitions in its cars that contributed to at least 13 deaths.

In a settlement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, GM agreed to the fine over a problem in Chevrolet Cobalts, which led to the non-deployment of airbags in accidents.