Takata Quality Control Committee Formed in Response to Air-Bag Crisis

Takata Corp. said it will form a global quality control committee in response to an auto-safety crisis created by flaws in its air bags. The company’s chairman and chief executive officer also issued an apology.

“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.”

Air bags 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 automakers have been recalled to fix the hazard.

The company didn’t specify who will lead the quality committee or who its members will be. The statement, first posted today, is no longer available on Takata’s website and spokesmen for the Tokyo-based company didn’t immediately return phone calls or respond to e-mails seeking further details.