Toyota calls for independent Takata inflator tests throughout industry

Toyota Motor Corp. today called for an industrywide initiative to test Takata Corp.’s airbag inflators to determine whether automakers should expand their regional recalls into nationwide efforts.

Simon Nagata, president of Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, said in a statement the independent third-party tests would “ensure that the inflators that require replacement are accurately identified and promptly fixed.”

Independent tests “will allow the affected automakers to share test results and analyses, and better understand how best to implement recall repairs.”

In statements today, Ford, Chrysler and Honda expressed interest in Toyota’s proposal. 

Rick Schostek, executive vice president of Honda North America Honda Motor Co., endorsed “coordinated, industrywide third-party testing” of Takata inflators.

“We believe that the industry can achieve greater results by sharing information and putting its collective efforts behind the same objective third party testing program,” Schostek said in the statement. 

Chrysler Group issued a brief statement affirming that it “supports the concept of an in-depth investigation that engages all stakeholders, including NHTSA.”

Likewise, Ford's statement noted that the company “plans to join the proposed industrywide effort to investigate and develop solutions to address this critical issue.”

Takata, in a statement, reiterated its earlier announcement today that it is creating an independent quality assurance panel that will issue a public report on the company's best practices in production of airbag inflators. 

"We also welcome Toyota’s call for a coordinated initiative to independently test our airbag inflators," Takata's statement said. "Takata has always cooperated with its customers and will continue to do so.  Public safety is an industry-wide priority and one that we fully support.”

In April 2013, Toyota launched a nationwide recall to fix Takata-produced front passenger airbag inflators in some vehicles. That recall remains in effect today, Nagata noted.

In its Nov. 5 memo to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Toyota indicated that it had recalled 877,000 vehicles and has fixed 44,000.