GM Develops Alternative-Supply Plan for Takata Recalls

General Motors Co. has developed options to ensure enough airbag systems if the Takata Corp. airbag inflator recalls continue to strain industry capacity, Reuters reports.

GM has ordered Takata to share its inflator specs with such rivals as Autoliv and TRW, so that that those companies can help supply replacement units if needed. Reuters say GM is Takata's third-largest customer.

Next month Takata will boost its monthly inflator production in Mexico by about one-third to 450,000 units. But the expansion is being overwhelmed by the rapidly expanding size of U.S. recalls being demanded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

So far carmakers have recalled more than 21 million vehicles worldwide to replace Takata inflators that could explode. Most campaigns were initially restricted to high-humidity regions.