Industry scrambles to react to Takata air bag recall

• Automakers promise to cooperate with NHTSA on expanded Takata air bag recall
• Politicians praise NHTSA for taking action to force air bag supplier Takata to recall more vehicles

The automotive industry scrambled to react and absorb the news Tuesday that Takata had agreed to expand the recall of vehicles with its air bags to nearly 34 million cars and trucks, nearly double the number of vehicles previously recalled.

Automakers said they were not briefed on the details of the unprecedented recall announcement until the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration held a press conference today at 2 p.m.

Many automakers and industry observers are still poring over the details of the agency's consent agreement with Takata as they issued their initial reactions.

The comments below from automotive manufacturers, other air bag suppliers, politicians, lawyers and analysts have been edited for brevity and clarity:

Honda spokesman Chris Martin:

"Honda is currently reviewing the information released today to determine what new actions may be required to further ensure the safety of our customers. Honda will continue all efforts to complete vehicle repairs under several national and regional recalls and safety improvement campaigns."

Autotrader senior analyst Michelle Krebs:

"This is a major victory for NHTSA and its new leaders, who are demonstrating they mean business. Automakers and suppliers should take heed. NHTSA, Takata and automakers have their work cut out for them in tracking down all of these vehicles."

Rich Newsome, attorney representing seven victims of faulty Takata air bags:

"Hopefully this summer, as we begin taking depositions for our seven clients in their state court injury cases, we will uncover answers about the root cause of the defect and exactly what Takata knew and when they knew it."

Autoliv spokesman Thomas Jonsson:

"Our focus has really been to help the industry and the customers in this situation and clearly if we would be asked to supply more (air bag inflators) we would work to do that as rapidly as we could."

General Motors spokesman Alan Adler:

"General Motors will continue to work closely with NHTSA to share our data and test results. At GM, safety is a foundational commitment, and we put our customers at the center of everything we do."

Fred Upton, R-Michigan, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee:

"It has been a year since the alarm was sounded about dangerous Takata air bag defects, yet drivers are still at risk. The recalls are mounting and the causes are still murky. Bottom line, we know there's still a problem: we need answers, and we need action."

Senators Edward Markey, D-Mass., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., members of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee:

"We are pleased that NHTSA is taking these long overdue steps to protect drivers and passengers and that Takata must cooperate with the ongoing investigation into this tragedy."

Toyota spokesman Scott Vazin:

"Toyota's focus remains on the safety and security of our customers. We are currently evaluating NHTSA's industry-wide announcement and will work with the Agency to respond as necessary."

Contact Brent Snavely: 313-222-6512 or bsnavely@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrentSnavely.