Nations' differing rules let automakers skimp on recalls - Columbus Dispatch
DETROIT — When it comes to making and selling cars, the auto industry thinks and acts globally: There is near-seamless coordination among parts suppliers, factories and dealerships. But when an unsafe car needs to be recalled, that global coordination breaks down — in part because governments do not demand it. The consequences are sometimes deadly. Some countries have strict safety regulations and a clear process that automakers must follow when they learn about a defect. “We’ve witnessed recalls occurring in one part of the world while the same defects go unremedied in others, sometimes for years,” said Sean Kane, a safety advocate and president of Safety Research and Strategies. Six years ago, Honda began recalling driver’s-side air bags in the U. S. The air bags, made by Japanese supplier Takata Corp. But it wasn’t until November of this year — after the death of a driver in Malaysia — that Honda recalled driver’s-side air bags in small cars sold in Europe and Asia, even though the air bags were made at the same time in the same Georgia factory. Some auto executives say they would support global safety standards — but also are aware they save money by limiting recalls to certain regions or skimping on safety features in countries that don’t require them. Safety advocates say governments need to keep better track of potential problems and alert drivers to them more quickly. Source: www.dispatch.com
