US auto safety regulator likely to take action on Jeep, Takata recalls soon

Washington

THE National Highway Traffic Safety Administration expects to be ready to take action within two weeks to accelerate product recalls to reduce the safety risks associated with gas tank fires in older Jeep sport utility vehicles and exploding Takata Corp airbags, the agency's top official said on Tuesday.

NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said he expects agency staff to present a plan of options in each case early next month and vowed to be as aggressive as possible to minimise dangers posed by the deadly defects. "We're going to look at every option, and we'll be as aggressive as possible," he said on the sidelines of a NHTSA conference to examine ways to increase the effectiveness of automotive recalls.