‘ Deep regrets’ from Takata, VW

Shigehisa Takada,

Takata CEO: “Reaching this agreement is a major step towards resolving the air bag inflator issue and a key milestone in the ongoing process to secure investment in Takata. Takata deeply regrets the circumstances that have led to this situation and remains fully committed to being part of the solution. We have taken aggressive actions to address past reporting lapses and will continue to work closely with regulators and our automotive customers to address the ongoing recalls and implement new technologies that advance vehicle safety, prevent injuries and save lives.”

Matthias Müller,

Volkswagen CEO: “Volkswagen deeply regrets the behavior that gave rise to the diesel crisis. Since all of this came to light, we have worked tirelessly to make things right for our affected customers and have already achieved some progress on this path. The agreements that we have reached with the U. S. government reflect our determination to address misconduct that went against all of the values Volkswagen holds so dear. They are an important step forward for our company and all our employees.” Los Angeles Times, editorial: “For too long the Justice Department has focused on fining corporations. ... Sure, executives and lower- level employees deemed responsible often lose their jobs, but rarely is an individual held criminally liable for the criminal acts. ... That isn’t much of a disincentive for those who would cheat or swindle. ... Whether the VW employees are guilty will be for a jury to decide — if they ever get before one. Five of the six are in Germany, which has a history of not extraditing its citizens.”

Peter J. Henning,

The New York Times: “The extradition treaty between the United States and Japan leaves it to the discretion of the government to decide whether to send a citizen to the other country. ... Indictments can be the easiest step in a criminal case, reflecting the adage that a prosecutor can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich — not that many of them commit federal offenses. The Justice Department’s push to hold individuals liable for corporate misconduct may be a welcome change, but targeting defendants who may be effectively untouchable could lessen the impact of this more aggressive approach.”