Next-Gen Honda Accord Foregoing Takata Airbags
When the next-gen Honda Accord arrives in U.S. showrooms in August 2017, no Takata airbags will be used in the sedan’s safety system.
Reuters reports the automaker has chosen competitor Toyoda Gosei to supply driver-side, knee and curtain airbags for the North American version of the Accord. Additionally, Toyoda Gosei will supply units for the CR-V and Odyssey starting in 2016.
As for the airbags currently in play, Honda signed an agreement with another airbag competitor, Autoliv, to start production of replacement units for the 13 million-plus vehicles recalled by the automaker due to Takata-supplied airbags since 2008. Honda is also in discussions with Daicel Corporation for more replacement parts, as well.
The move toward Toyoda Gosei from Takata follows a request from General Motors for the supplier to share specs with both TRW Automotive and Autoliv in the event the automaker needs to replace airbags in its own vehicles. Over 21 million vehicles from 10 different manufacturers around the world have been recalled due to the potential for catastrophic failure of airbags made by Takata, resulting in five fatalities and several dozen injuries thus far.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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Mahboob used to be our go-to guy for IEDs but he got a little sloppy. So now we're mostly going with Tabbar. Saarim and Haami will give us a little regional help. Or we could get rid of the IEDs altogether?
It's gotta suck being the CEO of Takata right now. OTOH, when you have one critically important job to do where millions are depending on that job being done right, um - get it right.
I am guessing the Toyoda airbag supplier is tangentially the same company as Toyota Motor? So looking it up, 43% owned by Toyota Motor. Thus, Honda is purchasing airbags from Toyota. Next up, platform sharing for the CR-AV4.