TO THE EDITOR:
Regarding “NHTSA probe of rupturing ARC airbag inflators echoes Takata,” autonews.com, May 25: Any loss of life is regrettable. However, life itself comes with risks. A safety recall of 67 million inflators upon seven injuries and two deaths should be a consideration. However, all aspects of said recall should be considered as well. How many lives were saved by the airbags vs. the injuries? What will the cost of the recall be?
What costs is the government willing to accept as a burden upon suppliers and manufacturers when considering the recall?
Financially bankrupting suppliers, or manufacturers, and creating an unwillingness of other suppliers to produce airbags should be a part of the calculus.
An unwillingness to accept some level of risk on the part of the government and consumers is disproportionate to the potential costs of ownership for the very people the government is trying to protect.
CLAUDE BURNS, President, Burns Chevrolet-Cadillac, Rock Hill, S.C.
