Toyota will take off other cars that have Takata's signature airbag that is believed to be linked to some fatal accidents. This is a new blow for the world's largest auto company which has already recalled thousands of cars with defective airbags and a blow to the airbag company. This time the recall refers to the protectors in the driver's seat, whereas previously they had concerned the passenger airbag. Toyota has announced it will recall 57 vehicles globally (about 40 units in Japan and 17 overseas) while subsidiary Daihatsu will recall 27.500 vehicles from the Japanese market. About 16 million passenger cars, made by Honda, BMW, Ford and General Motors among other brands, have been recalled because they had the same problem.
Takata is now accused of hiding the fact that her airbags were faulty for years. At least five deaths in the US and Malaysia could be linked to Takata airbags. One of the deaths was initially ruled a homicide due to the gruesome injuries sustained by the victim. In the United States, authorities pressured Takata to expand recall operations in the country, threatening a $35 million fine. Takata shares fell 5% on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
