Former Takata execs charged, Ford and Honda expand recall
By Mike Davey Detroit, Michigan — January 15, 2017 — Three former employees of Takata have been formally indicted by a US federal grand jury in Detroit. The charges stem from the well-known issues surrounding Takata airbags in recent years. The executives are alleged to have concealed defects in the company’s airbag inflators. A statement […]
Takata airbag recall continues to expand
Detroit, Michigan — May 30, 2016 — The Takata airbag recall continues to grow. On Friday, the Japanese transport ministry announced that 7 million additional recalls related to Takata, covering air bag inflators that do not have a chemical drying agent. The US-based National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has also posted documents showing recalls […]
Friday Fun: Airbag scandal balloons, Ontarians get trikes and Warren Buffett knows what’s up
By Jeff Sanford Toronto, Ontario — March 4, 2016 — It’s time for another round of the stuff you may have missed in the week that was. This week, we look at yet more recalls due to faulty airbags, how Campagna Motors will finally be able to sell its extremely cool trikes in Ontario and […]
Total Takata airbag recall now possible
By Jeff Sanford Toronto, Ontario — February 17, 2016 — The Takata airbag saga seems to be inflating to a new level of complexity and concern. Last month Federal safety regulators in the US confirmed that a South Carolina man died in December as a result of an explosion in a Takata airbag that wasn’t […]
Friday Fun: 2015’s stunning sales numbers, Optimus Prime up for auction and Takata lands in even hotter water
By Jeff Sanford Toronto, Ontario — January 7, 2016 — Welcome to our weekly roundup of the the most interesting auto news bits and bites from the past week. This week we dig into 2015’s huge new car sales numbers, the auctioning of Optimus Prime and how Takata has landed in even bigger trouble. We wouldn’t […]
Honda Canada to enlist collision repair facilities in Takata recall
By Jeff Sanford Toronto, Ontario — December 18, 2015 — Last week American Honda Motor Company announced a new program that recruits independent mechanical repair and collision repair facilities to identify vehicles with faulty Takata airbags and help notify clients. The auto industry is dealing with the single largest recall in history. This is not […]
Takata Recall: Canadian repairers ready to step up for installation
By Jeff Sanford Toronto, Ontario — November 4, 2015 — The biggest recall in the history of the automobile industry continues to hang over the sector. Getting this recall done will take time and effort. Recently the US-based National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) took an unprecedented step when executives suggested the organization may call […]
NHTSA considers allowing collision centres to replace Takata airbags: Should Canada follow?
By Jeff Sanford Toronto, Ontario — October 29, 2015 — In a briefing on the Takata airbag recall an official from the US-based National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that the services of independent collision repair shops may be sought to deal with a recall that is the largest in history. Stephen Ridella, the […]
Takata recall could expand to more companies
By Mike Davey Toronto, Ontario — September 29, 2015 — More automakers may have to issue recalls related to air bag inflators made by Takata Corp., according to letters sent last week by the US-based National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The defective inflators can explode with too much force, possibly spraying bits of metal […]
Friday Fun: Sensor overload, human unpredictability and autonomous vehicles
By Jeff Sanford Toronto, Ontario — September 3, 2015 — Some interesting facts and figures from the week that was: – The number of sensors in cars may be getting ridiculous. The new Tesla SUV has gull-wing doors equipped with sensors so that when they open they don’t hit anything. However, it seems certain that […]
