Takata Corp.'s chairman and chief executive officer issued an apology in response to an auto- safety crisis created by flaws in its airbags.
"We deeply regret that the recent recalls of vehicles equipped with our airbags have likely raised significant concerns and troubles to our product users, our customers, shareholders and other stakeholders," Shigehisa Takada, whose grandfather started the company as a textile manufacturer in the 1930s, said in a statement. "We sincerely apologize for causing any such concerns and troubles."
Airbags made by Takata are linked to at least four deaths and more than 30 injuries in the U.S. after the safety devices deployed with too much force, spraying metal shrapnel at occupants. U.S. authorities have begun an investigation and almost 8 million cars made by 10 auto makers have been recalled to fix the hazard.