Kris Faafoi
About 50,000 vehicles with Alpha-type Takata airbags are subject to a compulsory recall as the government protects New Zealand drivers and passengers from the unsafe airbags.
The new measures put in place include intensive monitoring of a further 257,000 vehicles also requiring repairs to replace non-Alpha Takata airbags.
The New Zealand Transport Agency is also introducing new measures to stop vehicles with affected airbags that have not been remedied from being imported to New Zealand.
Government commitment
New Zealanders can be assured that this Government is committed to ensuring that these unsafe airbags are removed and replaced as quickly as possible.
These airbags have been known to be a risk since 2013 yet the previous Government clearly did not place any importance on keeping New Zealanders safe.
From today, we have an agreed timeframe for replacements of Alpha-type airbags, and, after a 40-working day grace period for vehicles already in transit, no affected new or used vehicles will be able to enter into New Zealand.
Monitoring Group
Further, because I am not satisfied that enough progress has been made on other non-Alpha Takata airbag recalls, I have set up a monitoring group that will report monthly on this.
If enough progress is not made, I will enact a compulsory recall across the board because I am not willing to compromise on the safety of New Zealanders.
A voluntary recall of vehicles with affected Takata airbags started in New Zealand in 2013, and around 29,000 of the Alpha-type airbags have been replaced. Alpha airbag inflators pose a significantly higher risk of mis-deploying in an accident and sending fragments towards vehicle occupants.
Recall of more vehicles
A further 257,000 vehicles are subject to a recall for non-Alpha Takata airbags, with a further 116,000 non-Alpha airbags replaced already. More than 450,000 vehicles are known to be affected by Alpha and non-Alpha recalls in New Zealand, and 100 million globally.
The new compulsory recall is focused on Alpha-type Takata airbags because they present the highest safety risk to drivers and passengers.
The motor vehicle industry has recalled vehicles with the Takata airbags with varying degrees of success, but more must be done to ensure that the highest risk Alpha-type airbags are removed from our vehicle fleet.
Representative bodies
I am pleased that the Motor Industry Association (MIA), which represents new vehicle importers, and the Vehicle Industry Association (VIA), which represents multiple players in the used vehicle importing business, are supporting the new measures.
The MIA and VIA are working towards a memorandum of understanding to ensure this work is able to be appropriately resourced and, importantly for the consumer, completed as soon as possible.
Kris Faafoi is Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister of New Zealand.
(Picture from file)
