Takata and those associated with its airbag recall crisis are heading back into the fire this week, one that could grow into a firestorm soon enough.
Detroit Free Press reports the supplier is expected to submit its responses to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration detailing how and when it knew of the first signs of trouble regarding its airbags, as well as the delay in reporting the defects to the agency. Further, Takata will be asked how long it will take to replace the airbags of 7.8 million affected vehicles with safer units; competitors Autoliv and TRW Automotive have previously stated they would help supply replacements.
The NHTSA issued an order last weekthat the supplier recall those units nationwide by December 2, with resistance to be met with a mandatory recall that could take months and several hearings to make happen. The agency is also in the process of replacing current deputy administrator David Friedman with Obama nominee Mark Rosekind, who must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate before taking over.
Finally, Takata and Friedman will also give testimony in a second round of congressional hearings before the lame-duck Congress calls it a day for the rest of the year.