Honda appears to have defected from long time airbag supplier Takata for three planned new models following the inflator recall debacle.
Reuters, citing two anonymous sources, said the automaker had chosen Toyoda Gosei to supply air bags for the next North American Accord sedan, its best selling vehicle in that market.
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The redesigned line is scheduled to go on sale in August 2017, the sources told Reuters.
The news agency noted Honda’s decision to shift to a competitor for the most important vehicle in its largest market represents a major blow for Takata after a safety crisis involving its air bags that forced the recall for more than 21m.
The automaker and both suppliers would not comment.
The sources said Toyoda Gosei would supply driver’s side knee and curtain air bags for the new Accord.
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By GlobalDataHonda said last month it had signed a deal with Autoliv to begin making replacement inflators for recalled vehicles later this year and also had begun discussions with Daicel, another inflator maker.
Since 2008, Honda has recalled more than 13m vehicles equipped with Takata air bags, including more than 10m in the United States alone, Reuters said.
The report said Takata supplied air bags for the US version of the Accord since at least the 2000 model year, according to recall notices.
One source added the automaker would begin using Toyoda Gosei air bags beginning with the redesigned CR-V and Odyssey minivan in 2016.
Together, the CR-V and the Accord represent about half of Honda’s US sales.
Reuters also noted GM had said it directed Takata to share specifications with TRW and Autoliv so that they could make replacement parts for recalls if needed.
