Under-fire Japanese air bag manufacturer Takata reportedly hid the results of 2004 tests that revealed their products could rupture and cause injury or death.
Technicians involved in the secret testing of 50 Takata air bags were ordered to delete the data from their computers and dispose of the air bags used, two employees revealed to the New York Times.
The manufacturer reportedly only revealed the problems to regulators four years later.
Faulty air bags produced by the Tokyo-based firm have since led to the recalls of more than 14 million automobiles worldwide.
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Write to Rishi Iyengar at rishi.iyengar@timeasia.com