Ashton Consulting is tackling overseas PR for embattled airbag maker Takata as the Japanese company struggles to move forward from its historic recall.

As previously reported, Sard Verbinnen & Co. is advising Takata in the US, where Takata EVP Kevin Kennedy this week testified before Congress.

Dan Underwood, a managing director for Tokyo-based Ashton Consulting, leads the Takata work for his firm.

Kennedy, in testimony before the House Commerce and Energy subcomittee, expressed "regret" for those injured or killed because of defective Takata airbags. The company raised eyebrows when it acknowledged that some recalled airbags would have to be replaced a second time.

Takata's 34M-airbag recall affects an estimated one in seven US vehicles.