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BMW recalls more than 720,000 cars because electric water pump may catch fire
BMW on Tuesday said it is recalling 720,796 vehicles in North America because they are equipped with an electric water pump that may short circuit as a result of faulty installation, posing a fire hazard.
According to recall documents posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.”
More specifically, “blowby-liquid from the positive crankcase ventilation system may collect on the intake air hose,” and eventually “drip onto the plug connector,” potentially seeping in, causing an electrical shortage.
“This could increase the risk of a thermal event and, in rare cases, a fire,” the recall states.
The recall applies to the following BMW models:
MAKE | MODEL | YEAR |
---|---|---|
BMW | 228I | 2014-2016 |
BMW | 228XI | 2014-2016 |
BMW | 328I | 2012-2016 |
BMW | 328XI | 2012-2016 |
BMW | 428I | 2014-2016 |
BMW | 428XI | 2015-2016 |
BMW | 528I | 2012-2016 |
BMW | X1 | 2012-2015 |
BMW | X3 | 2013-2017 |
BMW | X4 | 2015-2018 |
BMW | X5 | 2016-2018 |
BMW | Z4 | 2012-2016 |
Dealers will replace the water pump and plug connector and install a protective shield, free of charge. Notification letters will be mailed to vehicle owners on October 4. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW’s number for the recall is “24V-608.” Owners can also contact NHTSA’s safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (toll-free at 1-800-424-9153) or go to www.nhtsa.gov for further information.
As of this month, BMW has received roughly 18 customer complaints relating to the faulty pump, BMW said in recall documents. There have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to the recall, according to the company.
This is the third recall by the German automaker since July. BMW on July 24 recalled more than 290,000 vehicles in North America because of faulty bolts that may cause the interior cargo rail to fall off in the event of a rear crash.
On July 10, the car company recalled more than 394,000 vehicles in the North America because of Takata-made airbag inflators that could explode when deployed in a crash, potentially striking drivers and passengers with sharp metal fragments.
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Tupperware files for bankruptcy amid slumping sales
Tupperware and some of its subsidiaries filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the once-iconic food container maker said in a statement late Tuesday.
The company has suffered from dwindling sales following a surprise surge during the COVID-19 pandemic, when legions of people stuck at home tried their hands at cooking, which increased demand for Tupperware’s colorful plastic containers with flexible airtight seals.
A post-pandemic rise in costs of raw materials and shipping, along with higher wages, also hurt Tupperware’s bottom line.
Last year, it warned of “substantial doubt” about its ability to keep operating in light of its poor financial position.
“Over the last several years, the Company’s financial position has been severely impacted by the challenging macroeconomic environment,” president and CEO Laurie Ann Goldman said in a statement announcing the bankruptcy filing.
“As a result, we explored numerous strategic options and determined this is the best path forward,” Goldman said.
The company said it would seek court approval for a sale process for the business to protect its brand and “further advance Tupperware’s transformation into a digital-first, technology-led company.”
The Orlando, Florida-based firm said it would also seek approval to continue operating during the bankruptcy proceedings and would continue to pay its employees and suppliers.
“We plan to continue serving our valued customers with the high-quality products they love and trust throughout this process,” Goldman said.
The firm’s shares were trading at $0.5099 Monday, well down from $2.55 in December last year.
Tupperware said it had implemented a strategic plan to modernize its operations and drive efficiencies to ignite growth following the appointment of a new management team last year.
“The Company has made significant progress and intends to continue this important transformation work.”
In its filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, Tupperware listed assets of between $500 million and $1 billion and liabilities of between $1 billion and $10 billion.
The filing also said it had between 50,000 and 100,000 creditors.
Tupperware lost popularity with consumers in recent years and an initiative to gain distribution through big-box chain Target failed to reverse its fortunes.
The company’s roots date to 1946, when chemist Earl Tupper “had a spark of inspiration while creating molds at a plastics factory shortly after the Great Depression,” according to Tupperware’s website.
“If he could design an airtight seal for plastic storage containers, like those on a paint can, he could help war-weary families save money on costly food waste.”
Over time, Tupper’s containers became popular that many people referred to any plastic food container as Tupperware. And people even threw “Tupperware parties” in their homes to sell the containers to friends and neighbors.
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JD Vance echoes Trump, blames Democrats for apparent assassination attempt
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