Takata tightens screws on suppliers: sources

Tokyo

TAKATA Corp has begun enforcing tighter quality controls on a group of parts suppliers as the vehicle safety equipment maker boosts production to replace millions of airbags recalled for a potentially deadly defect, according to people involved. Takata, whose exploding airbags have caused five deaths and a recall of more than 20 million vehicles globally, has come under investigation by US safety regulators and federal prosecutors and intense scrutiny from US lawmakers.

Over the last two months, the company has launched a series of "urgent" inspections across its supply network and dispatched managers to parts makers in Japan and Asia to announce the changes, according to sources.