Continental recalls 5 million vehicles for a different kind of airbag problem
This recall, which is completely separate from Takata's recall, involves a faulty control unit.
Andrew Krok
Takata isn't the only parts supplier having problems with its airbag components. Continental is also recalling 5 million vehicles worldwide, covering vehicles from Fiat Chrysler, Honda and others, for an issue with its airbag control units.
According to the supplier, the electronics within its airbags may fail. If that happens, the airbags may not deploy during a collision or, perhaps worse, may deploy randomly. This is different from Takata's recent recall, in which faulty inflators could possibly send shrapnel into the cabin.
But it's no less serious, and automakers are already moving to recall affected vehicles in the US. Honda issued a recallcovering 341,000 2008-2010 Accord sedans late Wednesday. Reuters reports that the automaker has received over 1,000 warranty claims involving airbags that didn't deploy.
Fiat Chrysler issued one, as well, covering some 112,000 vehicles. Its recall includes the 2009 Dodge Journey, 2009 Volkswagen Routan and 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country. Daimler recalled vehicles in October 2015 for this issue, as well, covering roughly 126,000 C-Class and GLK-Class vehicles.
"We are working closely with all potentially impacted vehicle manufacturers on this issue," said Mary Arraf, a Continental spokeswoman. "As a supplier, we have provided all the pertinent information to all potentially impacted vehicle manufacturers. Each manufacturer determines whether a safety related defect exists in their vehicles."
It is unclear what other automakers are affected and just how many of those 5 million vehicles exist in the United States. Continental was first made aware of the problem in 2008 and made multiple changes to its control units in the following years, Reuters reported. It's believed the problem was finally solved with that final change, made in early 2011. As such, the recall covers control units built between 2006 and 2011.
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Matt LeBlanc joins Chris Evans as co-host for BBC 'Top Gear' revamp
The "Friends" actor will be the first non-British host in the history of the motoring show, which is being rebooted by the BBC following the sacking of Jeremy Clarkson last year.
Luke Westaway
"Hey, it's Porsch-ah!" US TV star Matt LeBlanc has been confirmed as a new host of the BBC's "Top Gear".
LeBlanc is best known to Brits and US viewers alike for his portrayal of the dunderheaded actor Joey Tribbiani on NBC sitcom "Friends", but he will join Chris Evans as a co-host on the popular motoring show. "Top Gear" is currently in the process of being rebooted after previous host Jeremy Clarkson was fired. The new series is set to arrive in May.
LeBlanc, who presented standalone spin-off show "Top Gear: The Races" and has appeared on the show twice before as a "star in a reasonably priced car", will join production "immediately", the BBC said in a statement. It also hinted that additional cast members will be announced "shortly".
"Friends" ended 12 years ago, but LeBlanc has appeared in other shows since, most notably the ongoing BBC/Showtime sitcom "Episodes", in which he plays an exaggerated version of himself.
Along with "Doctor Who", "Top Gear" is one of the BBC's most profitable programmes. But its future was thrown into jeopardy in March 2015, when controversial host Jeremy Clarkson's contract was not renewed after punching a producer when he was told he couldn't have a steak after a day of filming.
Co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May followed Clarkson out of the door, and along with ex-"Top Gear" producer Andy Wilman have now signed up to produce a new online-only show for the streaming service Amazon Video. Amazon boss Jeff Bezos has previously said that signing the trio was "very, very, very expensive."
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