In Guadeloupe, one in ten automobiles is “potentially dangerous”, in accordance with the prefecture, which launches a recall marketing campaign | EUROtoday

The Guadeloupe prefecture launched, Wednesday, June 4, a big recall marketing campaign for “Accelerate withdrawal” faulty Takata airbags within the archipelago, stating {that a} in ten automobile in circulation is “Potentially dangerous”.

“We had recognized 40,000 vehicles that also circulated with these airbags on the territory, (…) It’s big “explained to the Agency France-Presse the prefect of this overseas department, Xavier Lefort. Some 20,000 vehicles must still change their airbags, he added.

Because of a badly aged gas, the failing takata airbags are likely to explode by projecting parts in the drivers’ faces. Their degradation is accelerated under hot and humid climates.

The scandal of these airbags has been shaking the automotive sector since 2014, forcing many manufacturers to immobilize hundreds of thousands of vehicles around the world, in order to replace this security equipment.

Several car manufacturers are targeted by complaints, including BMW, Toyota, Mercedes and Volkswagen.

In Guadeloupe, the prefecture has set up a green number (0-800-700-800), and launched an important communication campaign to inform motorists of the dangers they incur and encourage them to change their airbags. The authorities wish “Facilitate verification in addition to making appointments for substitute” equipment.

BMW and Volkswagen particularly concerned

The prefecture has unveiled, in conjunction with the Group of Guadeloupe automotive dealerships, a list of vehicles “Concerned by an ongoing recall marketing campaign or to come back in accordance with the evaluation of the dangers carried out by the producer”.

According to this list, 30 brands are concerned, for more than 200 models, in the Guadeloupe archipelago. The brands with the most dangerous models are BMW – 26 models – and Volkswagen – 21 models.

In April, the Chancellery asked for the regrouping of the JIRS in Paris of all the surveys carried out on the consequences of the failures of these airbags, in particular those relating to manslaughter.

A new death linked to the triggering of a defective airbag had been recorded at the end of March in Guadeloupe. Until the announcement of this death, the Ministry of Transport had identified 29 accidents having caused eleven overseas deaths and one in mainland France.