Honda Criticizes Takata But Vows Possible Financial Aid

Honda Motor Co. President Takanobu Ito tells The Nikkei the carmaker will step in to support Takata Corp. if necessary to save the airbag supplier from collapse.

At least 10 carmakers have recalled some 16 million vehicles worldwide in the past six years to replace Takata airbag inflators that could explode when triggered. Honda, a major Takata customer, has already recalled 6 million cars.

"We cannot depend on Takata to find the cause," Ito tells The Nikkei. Last week Honda joined five other carmakers to coordinate independent tests to pinpoint the problem. The move indicates impatience and a lack of confidence in Takata's lackluster response to the crisis.

Ito says Honda will pay for the global recalls. But he adds the carmaker may demand repayment if Takata is found responsible for the defect.

Honda is expanding its current regional recalls in the U.S. to eventually cover some 13 million vehicles worldwide. Ito acknowledges Takata may not be able to shoulder the expanding costs of the inflator recalls, which analysts say could reach 100 billion yen ($834 million).

"If no one else helps, we will have to do something," he declares. A Takata collapse would hurt other carmakers too, he points out.