Skip to main content
EVENT TRACKER
Keep track of rescheduled, canceled industry events with our COVID-affected event tracker - Powered by Snap Finance
Close
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber & Plastics News
  • European Rubber Journal
tb-logo
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • OPINION
    • CORONAVIRUS
    • AUTO INDUSTRY
    • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • FACTORY FIXES
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • INTERNATIONAL
    • MOTOR SPORTS
    • NEW PRODUCTS
    • RETAIL TIRES
    • SERVICE ZONE
    • SEMA/AAPEX
    • SMALL BUSINESS
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • New round of Paycheck Protection Program funding opens
      Vaccine may usher sense of normalcy
      Cover-up: More retailers requiring face masks to curb COVID
      USW alleges COVID-19 violations at Kumho plant
    • Denso hires Joseph Wright as operations director
      Johnson named president, managing partner of Arnold Motor Supply
      Conti starts production of ‘HL' load index tires for select OE customers
      GM banking on 'BrightDrop' EV to build commercial van business
    • Q3 results disappoint for Monro, but business is trending up
      Hankook, Revvo team up to trial 'smart' tire technology in California
      ITC votes to keep duties in place on China P/LT tire imports
      NLRB certifies USW as bargaining unit for Kumho plant in Georgia
    • Goodyear, ConMet to develop tire/wheel-end digital analytics system
      Hankook, Revvo team up to trial 'smart' tire technology in California
      Love's plans to add over 30 stores in 2021 with Truck Care/Speedco services
      Linglong planning U.S. launch of 'Hubtrac' truck tire brand in 2021
    • ITC votes to keep duties in place on China P/LT tire imports
      Hwa Fong joins Taiwan tire makers' bid for alternative to import duties
      New stimulus package fixes PPP loan confusion
      USW opposes Taiwan tire makers' dumping counterproposal
    • Continental shifts exec assignments within Specialty Tires business unit
      Nokian's latest studded winter tire line to be available this summer
      Goodyear to install dynamic driving simulator at Luxembourg site
      ITC votes to keep duties in place on China P/LT tire imports
    • New NASCAR, F1 tire designs delayed due to COVID
      U.K. race series extends contract with Goodyear through 2026
      Goodyear Racing staying on track
      General Tire Canada renews sponsorship deal with Raceline Network
    • Nokian's latest studded winter tire line to be available this summer
      Hunter adds ‘FastBlast' bead-seating for LT/SUV tire changing
      Linglong planning U.S. launch of 'Hubtrac' truck tire brand in 2021
      Hankook doubles size range of Ventus V2 all-season UHP line
    • Q3 results disappoint for Monro, but business is trending up
      TIA to offer retail store leadership training course 5 times in 2021
      Updated ALI lifting points guide covers vehicle model years 2000-2021
      VIP Tires opens 20th store in New Hampshire, in Keene
    • Updated ALI lifting points guide covers vehicle model years 2000-2021
      Hunter adds ‘FastBlast' bead-seating for LT/SUV tire changing
      Johnson named president, managing partner of Arnold Motor Supply
      AMRA to host 5 educational webinars in Feb., March
    • WTC hosting webinar Jan. 20 on load-capacity standards
      Denver's Brian Sump named AAPEX Shop Owner of the Year
      DUB, TIS Wheels founder Myles Kovacs is SEMA Person of the Year
      AAPEX: Using social media to promote your business
    • New stimulus package fixes PPP loan confusion
      Vaccine may usher sense of normalcy
      2020 Review: PPP loans give boost to small businesses
      Latest COVID relief bill includes $325B in small-business support
    • Hankook, Revvo team up to trial 'smart' tire technology in California
      ITC votes to keep duties in place on China P/LT tire imports
      Nokian Tyres to add up to 150 jobs at U.S. factory
      Hwa Fong joins Taiwan tire makers' bid for alternative to import duties
    • Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      7 questions to ask consumers when they need tires for a crossover SUV
      Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      Stocking Tires for Crossover SUVs
  • SHOP FLOOR
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Video: Balancing Tire
      An introduction to wheel balancing
      Wheel weights: Balancing form with function
      Choosing the right balancing equipment
    • Video: Demounting
      An introduction to demounting, mounting and inflation
      Staying safe when demounting and mounting tires
      Demounting Equipment
    • Video: Safety
      Introduction: Creating a culture of safety
      Protecting your people with proper hygiene
      Making friends with OSHA
    • Video: Tire Repair
      An introduction to tire repair
      How to properly patch a puncture
      Tire repair: Shining a light on visual inspections
    • Video: TMPS Service
      An introduction to TPMS service
      The importance of proper relearn procedures
      Decoding sensor data for TPMS diagnosis
    • Video: Training
      Intro: Finding and training technicians
      Shop Floor: Scholarships
      Advantages of apprentice program partnerships
    • Video:Vehicle Lifting
      An introduction to lifts and lift safety
      Recommendations for using a jack
      Jack stands for commercial tire service
    • Video: Wheel Torque
      Introduction to proper wheel installation
      Torque check and recheck recommendations
      Using torque sticks to speed service times
  • Multimedia
    • VIDEOS
    • PHOTOS
    • PODCASTS
  • Events
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Resources
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
July 10, 2015 02:00 AM

Takata rejects U.S. senator's call for airbag victim fund

Bloomberg News
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    (Bloomberg News file photo)
    U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.

    Bloomberg News story

    TOKYO (July 10, 2015) — Takata Corp., the Japanese auto-parts maker at the center of a global safety crisis, rejected a U.S. senator's request to set up a fund that would compensate people injured or killed by its airbags.

    The auto supplier notified U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., of its decision after the lawmaker called for a fund similar to what General Motors Co. established last year for people killed or injured by defective ignition switches. Takata airbags so far have been linked to eight fatalities and 130 injuries.

    “While we do not believe establishing a general compensation fund is warranted at this time, we will continue to assess our position as we focus on how best to address the needs of individuals affected by an inflator rupture,” Takata said in an emailed statement.

    The decision risks opening Takata up to more criticism by U.S. legislators who have held four hearings in the past eight months to grill the company over faulty airbags behind what is expected to become the auto industry's biggest recall in history. The defective devices, which can rupture during deployment, continue to take a toll on customers such as Honda Motor Co., which expanded its recalls on Thursday to 24.5 million vehicles.

    Takata, auto makers and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are still investigating the root cause that explains why the airbag inflators are prone to break apart, spraying metal and plastic components at occupants. A Senate report released before Takata's latest U.S. hearing found that the company's employees knew of serious safety and quality control issues as early as 2001.

    Honda recall

    After the safety action July 9, Honda has now recalled more vehicles in each of the past three months than it sold all of last fiscal year.

    The car maker, which owns 1.2 percent of Takata, is also increasingly recalling newer vehicles. While previous campaigns affected cars as far back as the 2001 model year, Thursday's recall involved vehicles made as recently as the 2011 model year.

    Takata said in its letter to Sen. Blumenthal that the fund set up by GM provided benefits to victims who otherwise may have been unable to get them due to GM's 2009 bankruptcy. The U.S. auto maker had legal immunity from lawsuits related to accidents that occurred before the reorganization.

    “We intend to give your suggestion further study, and we will let you know if our thinking on this subject changes,” Kevin Kennedy, Takata executive vice president for North America, wrote in the letter, a copy of which was provided by Sen. Blumenthal's representative. “As we review our options, we would be happy to confer with you and your staff to ensure that we take full account of your views and considerations regarding public safety.”

    The New York Times reported on the letter sent by Takata on July 9.

     

    This Bloomberg News report appeared on the website of Automotive News, a Detroit-based sister publication of Tire Business.

    Related Articles
    U.S. senators urge recall of all autos with Takata airbags
    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    tb-logo
    Reader Services
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber & Plastics News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • List Rental
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • OPINION
      • CORONAVIRUS
      • AUTO INDUSTRY
      • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • FACTORY FIXES
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • INTERNATIONAL
      • MOTOR SPORTS
      • NEW PRODUCTS
      • RETAIL TIRES
      • SERVICE ZONE
      • SEMA/AAPEX
      • SMALL BUSINESS
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • SHOP FLOOR
      • BALANCING
      • DEMOUNTING
      • SAFETY
      • TIRE REPAIR
      • TPMS
      • TRAINING
      • VEHICLE LIFTING
      • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Multimedia
      • VIDEOS
      • PHOTOS
      • PODCASTS
    • Events
      • ASK THE EXPERT
      • LIVESTREAMS
      • WEBINARS
      • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Resources
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION