DOT's Foxx convenes 15 auto executives to discuss safety issues

December 01, 2015 12:00 AM

BLOOMBERG

Anthony Foxx: "Very productive" meeting with executives.

WASHINGTON -- Senior executives from 15 automakers met Tuesday with U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to discuss broad improvements to auto safety after several major defect crises have tarnished the industry’s reputation in recent years.

In a statement, DOT Press Secretary Namrata Kolachalam called the meeting “very productive” and said the group would reconvene in January. Cybersecurity issues were also discussed, though specific possible safety and cybersecurity initiatives weren’t disclosed.

The industry has battled high profile defect crises such as the General Motors ignition-switch and Takata airbag inflator recalls that have made frequent news headlines. Failing to detect and properly assess defects early in the Takata airbag and GM ignition switch recalls contributed to the recalls mushrooming into major safety crises that together claimed more than 100 lives.

The meeting, held at DOT headquarters in Washington, was called by Foxx to address his concern that “the public has lost faith in the auto industry’s commitment to safety,” Foxx said in a Nov. 3 letter inviting an executive to the summit obtained by Automotive News.

The participants included General Motors CEO Mary Barra, Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, Nissan North America Chairman Jose Munoz, Ford Vice President for Sustainability, Environment, and Safety Engineering Kim Pittel and other senior executives. Other representatives from the automakers also attended.

“We had a productive discussion on the important safety issues facing our industry, and we are pleased to be part of this dialogue," GM said in an e-mailed statement. "This type of industry and government discussion is in the best interest of overall vehicle safety, and importantly, our customers. We look forward to continuing the dialogue."

One auto executive who attended the meeting with Foxx said the secretary expressed a desire for automakers and the government to work more closely on safety issues, in part to identify vehicle defects and tackle recalls more quickly.

Foxx also pressed automakers for ideas on how to achieve those goals, the executive said, who asked not to be named because the meeting was private.

“Participants were asked to come prepared with suggestions to share, and spend the next month working toward concrete commitments to industry-wide safety measures,” Kolachalam said in the statement. “We view this meeting as a good and important step in an ongoing conversation between the U.S. DOT and auto industry executives.”

An FCA spokesman declined to comment on the meeting and a Honda spokesman confirmed Honda’s participation in the meeting but declined to elaborate beyond the Transportation Department’s statement.

According to DOT, other auto executives who attended were: