Automakers Will Conduct Their Own Airbag Investigation

DETROIT (AP) — Automakers are planning to join forces in an effort to determine why air bag inflators made by Takata Corp. can rupture and endanger drivers and passengers, two people briefed on a pending announcement say.

These people say that Honda and Toyota will call for an industrywide investigation on Tuesday, and that other automakers have agreed to participate. They didn't want to be identified because a formal announcement has not been made.

The announcement comes a day before a U.S. House subcommittee hearing concerning the air bags. The inflators can explode with too much force, sending metal shrapnel into the passenger compartment. At least five deaths have been linked to the problem.

Takata faces a midnight deadline to comply with a government demand for a nationwide driver's air bag recall.