Toyota today called for a coordinated industry-wide joint initiative to
independently test Takata airbag inflators that have been the subject of
recent recalls. The goal of this initiative is to address affected
automakers’ issues related to the airbag inflator recalls and supplement
testing being undertaken by Takata in order to address customer concerns
about safety.
“The safety, security, and peace of mind for our customers are our
highest priority, and I believe this is shared with all the other
automakers. That is what this initiative is all about," said Simon
Nagata, president and CEO, Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing
North America, Inc. "By combining our collective efforts behind a
coordinated, comprehensive testing program, we believe we can achieve
greater results. Together we will be better equipped to address this
issue more rapidly for all customers,” said Nagata.
Over the past year, a number of automakers, in collaboration with the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Takata, have
announced recalls in the U.S. and Canada related to airbag inflators
produced by Takata. While the specific issue may vary depending on the
inflator model, the objective of seeking collaborative third-party
testing is to ensure the inflators that require replacement are
accurately identified and promptly fixed.
Toyota is seeking industry-wide coordination in support of a
yet-to-be-named independent engineering analysis expert to test airbag
inflators. Independent testing will allow the affected automakers to
share test results and analyses, and better understand how best to
implement recall repairs.
In April 2013, Toyota launched a nationwide recall for Takata-produced
front passenger airbag inflators in certain vehicles. This recall is
still in effect today, and the company remains committed to addressing
this issue for customers across the U.S. and Canada.
In October, Takata provided testing data to Toyota and NHTSA that
suggested the risk was highest in areas of consistently high absolute
humidity in the U.S. In response, Toyota intensified its recall efforts
to reach more than 300,000 customers in those areas, and repairs have
begun.
Beginning this month, Toyota will invite all automakers affected by the
Takata airbag inflator issues to discuss the potential of a
collaborative effort to source independent testing.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM), the world's top automaker and creator of the Prius,
is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our
Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands. Over the past 50 years, we’ve
built more than 25 million cars and trucks in North America, where we
operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ
more than 40,000 people (more than 32,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800
North American dealerships (1,500 in the U.S.) sold more than 2.5
million cars and trucks (more than 2.2 million in the U.S.) in 2013 –
and about 80 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 20 years
are still on the road today.
Toyota partners with philanthropic organizations across the country,
with a focus on education, safety and the environment. As part of
this commitment, we share the company’s extensive know-how garnered from
building great cars and trucks to help community organizations and other
nonprofits expand their ability to do good. For more information about
Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.
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