Mercedes-Benz to recall 350,000 cars in China

According to the China Quality Supervision Agency, Mercedes-Benz and its Chinese joint venture will recall 351,218 vehicles because they use airbags produced by Takata, which poses a safety hazard.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China announced on Friday that Mercedes-Benz will begin recalling SLK-class and A-class domestic and imported cars produced from 2006 to 2012 on October 15. China’s State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) stated that they are concerned that potential problems with the airbag inflator may cause safety hazards.

Coincidentally, GM and Volkswagen also recalled vehicles due to similar problems last month.

According to Chinese official estimates, more than 20 million vehicles in China use airbags produced by Takata. In addition, at least 16 accidents and at least 180 accidents caused by accidents in the world are related to the airbags produced by Takata. When the airbag produced by the latter is deployed, the gas generator may be damaged abnormally, causing debris to fly out and injuring the people in the vehicle.

This issue directly led to the biggest recall in the history of the car, and eventually led to Takada's bankruptcy because it bore tens of billions of dollars in debt. The troubled Takada is now facing restructuring. Currently, Key Safety System is acquiring Takata Corporation for US$1.6 billion.