Carmakers in airbags overdrive

New Zealand’s motor industry says it can cope with a huge airbag recall – but the pressure is on.

A major compulsory recall of alpha-type Takata airbags is under way. Every one of the airbags in New Zealand vehicles must be replaced by December 2019.

The airbags have been found to fail in a crash and explode, sending out fragments that can cause injury or death.

David Crawford, chief executive of the Motor Industry Association, said the recall would be a challenge. Each replacement would take between 30 minutes and two hours. There are 50,000 airbags that need to be replaced – 5000 in new cars and 45,000 in used vehicles.

The industry supported the move because it had tried to conduct the recall on a voluntary basis over the past few years and had had limited success, Crawford said. Just 20,000 had been completed so far.

Identifying the owners of used vehicles was difficult, but a mandatory recall meant various government departments would work together to provide the necessary information.

The only cost to consumers would be that involved in getting their car to a dealer to have the work done, he said. The cost of parts and labour would be covered by the importer.

Toyota said consumers would not have to wait for their vehicles to be seen.

General manager of parts and service Spencer Morris said the parts were in stock.

‘‘Most customers have already been contacted and they will be able to get the work done by booking their car in at a Toyota Store. Some customers will require following up and we expect to have all work completed within six months.’’