Marios Christofi
Toyota has launched a new platform to help drivers book appointments to replace defective Takata airbags in vehicles imported from non-EU countries. The replacements began April 7 at a designated area within the State Fairgrounds.
Toyota Service Manager Fotis Dimitriadis told Kathimerini that vehicle owners will receive a text message containing a link to the platform. Through that link, they can select an available date and time for the service, depending on parts availability.
Dimitriadis clarified that the platform is accessible only to owners of vehicles imported from third countries, and only after they receive the official message.
Eligibility and priority access
“The messaging system follows two main criteria,” Dimitriadis said. “First, the driver must be registered on the company’s website, and second, they must have paid the administrative fee for the airbag replacement.” Once these conditions are met, the customer’s information is entered into the system.
“We then check for available time slots and spare parts and select a group of customers who can proceed to book their appointments,” he added.
Asked whether unregistered Toyota owners with affected Takata airbags would also receive platform access, Dimitriadis said they will get a different message prompting them to register with Toyota before proceeding. “If they’re not already registered, a message will be sent either by Toyota or the Department of Road Transport, advising them on how to begin the process,” he said.
Once registered, those drivers can contact Toyota directly to schedule their replacement.
Strong public response
The public has responded quickly. Dimitriadis noted that within a short time after the messages were sent out, nearly a month’s worth of appointments had already been booked. “The platform is very user-friendly,” he said, “making it easy for people to take care of the necessary replacement.”
During a Transport Committee meeting on March 13, Department of Road Transport Director Giorgos Loukas reported that the number of vehicles on the national Takata airbag recall list has dropped to 69,516. An additional 6,820 vehicles from three manufacturers were recently added to the list.
Loukas noted the total number of vehicles subject to recall has decreased from 81,060 to 69,516. Of these, 2,500 have been deregistered, and 5,416 are immobilized.
*This article was translated from its Greek original.
