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A6 U.S. NEWS
Wednesday 24 april 2019

U.S. expands probe into air bag failures to 12.3M vehicles

By TOM KRISHER ed using the ZF-TRW parts
AP Auto Writer in the 2011 model year.
DETROIT (AP) — U.S. auto In addition, no electrical
safety regulators have ex- interference cases have
panded an investigation been identified in Honda or
into malfunctioning air bag Mitsubishi vehicles with the
controls to include 12.3 mil- same parts, the agency
lion vehicles equipped with said.
bags that may not inflate in NHTSA will evaluate how
a crash. The problem could susceptible the air bag
be responsible for as many control units are to electri-
as eight deaths. cal signals as well as other
Vehicles made by Toyo- factors that could stop air
ta, Honda, Kia, Hyundai, bags from inflating. The
Mitsubishi and Fiat Chrys- agency also “will evaluate
ler from the 2010 through whether an unreasonable
2019 model years are in- risk exists that requires fur-
cluded in the probe, which This undated combination of photos shows clockwise from top left the logos for Toyota, Honda, ther field action.”
was revealed Tuesday in Kia, Fiat Chrysler, Mitsubishi and Hyundai. Last year, Hyundai and Kia
documents posted by the Associated Press recalled nearly 1.1 million
National Highway Traffic tially deadly Takata air bag problem were reported in be a defective part across vehicles because of the
Safety Administration. It in- inflators. At least 24 people Hyundai-Kia vehicles and multiple manufacturers problem, about a year af-
volves air bag control units have been killed worldwide three in Fiat Chrysler au- and 12 million cars,” Levine ter NHTSA opened its inves-
made by ZF-TRW that were and more than 200 injured tomobiles. NHTSA opened said. “While the first fatal- tigation.
installed in the vehicles. by the Takata inflators, an investigation in March ity reports emerged three Kia vehicles covered in-
The control units can fail in which can explode with of 2017 involving the TRW years ago, it has taken a cluded 2010 through 2013
a crash, possibly because too much force and hurl parts in Hyundais and Kias. higher body count for more Forte compact cars and
of unwanted electrical sig- dangerous shrapnel into The upgrade came after significant action to be 2011 through 2013 Optima
nals produced by the crash the passenger cabin. The investigators found two re- taken by NHTSA and most midsize cars in the U.S. Also
itself that can disable an air inflators touched off the cent serious crashes involv- impacted manufacturers covered are Optima Hybrid
bag control circuit housed largest series of automotive ing 2018 and 2019 Toyota remain silent. The industry and Sedona minivans from
in the passenger compart- recalls in U.S. history with as Corollas in which the air needs to do better.” 2011 and 2012. Recalled
ment, according to NHTSA many as 70 million inflators bags did not inflate. One NHTSA said it will take “ap- Hyundai vehicles included
documents. The electrical to be recalled by the end person was killed. Toyota propriate action” based on 2011 through 2013 Sonata
signals can damage the of next year. About 100 mil- said it’s cooperating in the the investigation’s findings. midsize cars and the 2011
control circuit, the docu- lion inflators are to be re- probe, doing its own inves- In the ZF-TRW investigation and 2012 Sonata Hybrid.
ments say. called worldwide. tigation and will take “any documents, NHTSA said In 2016, Fiat Chrysler re-
ZF, a German auto parts On April 19, NHTSA up- appropriate action.” that it didn’t find any other called about 1.9 million
maker which acquired TRW graded the ZF-TRW probe Jason Levine, executive cases of electrical inter- vehicles worldwide includ-
Automotive in 2015, said from a preliminary evalu- director of the Center for ference in Hyundai, Kia or ing the 2010 Chrysler Se-
that it’s committed to safe- ation to an engineering Auto Safety, a nonprofit Fiat Chrysler vehicles that bring, the 2011 through
ty and is cooperating with analysis, which is a step consumer group, said the used the ZF-TRW system but 2014 Chrysler 200, the 2010
NHTSA and automakers in closer toward seeking re- ZF-TRW case shows the auto were not recalled. Also, the through 2012 Dodge Cali-
the investigation. calls. So far, only Hyundai industry thus far has learned agency has not identified ber, the 2010 through 2014
The case is another in a and Kia and Fiat Chrysler very little from Takata. any other cases of electri- Dodge Avenger, the 2010
long list of problems with have issued recalls in the “A single supplier of an im- cal interference in other through 2014 Jeep Patriot
auto industry air bags, in- case. Four deaths that may portant safety component Toyotas including Corollas, and Compass and the 2012
cluding faulty and poten- have been caused by the provided what appears to since the company start- and 2013 Lancia Flavia.q

Town keeps playing Smith recording amid racist allegations

WILDWOOD, N.J. (AP) — history, we understand the “George White’s Scan-
The mayor of a New Jer- history.” dals,” and was considered
sey shore town says they Troiano said he plans to satire at the time. Smith’s
keep playing Kate Smith’s speak with his cabinet to likeness also appears in a
recording of “God Bless make sure they all feel as 1939 ad that heavily uses
America” on its boardwalk passionate about the issue the mammy caricature,
despite allegations of rac- as he does. one of the most well-known
ism against the singer. The mayor’s comments racist depictions of black
Wildwood has traditionally come as some sports women.
started each day by play- teams, including the New Besides taking out Smith’s
ing the song. York Yankees and the “God Bless America” re-
“It’s an Irving Berlin patriotic Philadelphia Flyers, have cording from their library,
song that has nothing to do stopped playing Smith’s the Flyers have removed
with anything but Ameri- version of the song amid a bronze statue of her that
ca,” Mayor Ernie Troiano conflicting claims about had long stood outside
said. “We have no intention several of her tunes, includ- their arena.
In this May 13, 1975, file photo, Kate Smith sings “God Bless of removing it, and it’s not ing her 1939 hit “That’s Why The statue was removed
America” before an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff game a statement that we don’t the Darkies Were Born.” Sunday, and its where-
between the New York Islanders and the Philadelphia Flyers in
Philadelphia. understand what’s going The tune originated in abouts have not been dis-
Associated Press on or we’re ignorant to the the 1931 Broadway revue closed. q