With just days remaining before the issuance of decrees concerning defective Takata airbags, several key issues remain unresolved, as two legal opinions from the Attorney General’s Office are still pending. The situation, affecting approximately 80,000 vehicles in Cyprus, has raised public concerns, particularly regarding the potential immobilisation of affected vehicles and the responsibilities of import companies.
During a closed-door session of the Parliamentary Committee on Tuesday, Minister of Transport Alexis Vafeadis provided updates on the ongoing processes and the obstacles encountered. The primary challenge has been the refusal of some distributors to cooperate, which has significantly delayed efforts to inform vehicle owners.
Importers’ indifference hindering progress
According to the Chairman of the Transport Committee, Marinos Moushouttas, while some companies have fully cooperated by providing necessary details to notify affected vehicle owners, others have failed to respond adequately. This lack of cooperation has created major delays in ensuring the public is properly informed about the risks associated with defective airbags.
To address this issue, the Ministry of Transport has sought alternative solutions by leveraging contacts in New Zealand and Japan to re-establish the flow of information to vehicle owners.
“Many import companies do not consider it their obligation to issue a certificate confirming the presence or absence of a defective airbag,” Mr Mousiouttas stated. “The Ministry is currently working on a method that will allow such certificates to be issued, regardless of whether the import companies choose to cooperate.”
Legal safeguards and potential vehicle immobilisation
The Attorney General’s Office is now responsible for determining the legal measures required to grant the Department of Road Transport the authority to issue these certificates. However, there remains uncertainty over whether the decrees will require affected vehicles to be immobilised, for how long, and under what conditions.
When asked directly about the possibility of immobilisation, Mr Moushouttas refrained from speculation, stating, “I cannot answer that. The only one who can do so is the Minister through his decree.”
He further indicated that the Ministry is exploring solutions for handling cases where defective airbags have been confirmed and how to proceed should immobilisation become necessary.
Holding companies accountable
Emphasising the gravity of the situation, Mr Moushouttas acknowledged public frustration but underscored that safety must remain the top priority.
“This is a safety issue, and any inconvenience is worth it,” he said. “The public will learn which companies have caused delays and which have fulfilled their responsibilities.”
The Transport Committee has confirmed that the issue will be revisited in the coming days, leaving room for any necessary amendments to the proposed decrees. Meanwhile, efforts continue to increase stakeholder involvement, ensuring that affected vehicle owners are notified as soon as possible and that replacement procedures for faulty airbags proceed without further delays.
Also read: Takata airbags: lethal threats – potential vehicle immobilisation
With information from: SigmaTV
