Honda dragging its feet on Takata's future: sources

Tokyo

AS troubled airbag maker Takata Corp courts buyers to resolve the car industry's biggest recall ever, top customer and shareholder Honda Motor Co is dragging its feet on decisions that are crucial to a deal, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Honda hasn't played a leading role in talks the world's carmakers are having with Takata over its future, according to officials at four carmakers, who asked not to be identified because the deliberations are private. An executive at one of Takata's lenders said that Honda has been less active than its peers deliberating on whether sub-suppliers to Takata would be able to survive a potential bankruptcy. Honda believes it's in proactive discussions on best measures to cope with the issue, spokesman Ben Nakamura said.