by Gabrielle DeSantis

Another BMW recall has hit. Over 21,000 BMW and BMW-adjacent vehicle models have been affected. Thankfully, there are some silver linings to this recall. However, this isn’t just some issue that can be solved with a Tesla-esque over-the-air update. Owners will have to bring in their Bimmer branded models for physical repairs this time. Semiconductor production shortage issues aside, it’s not something the Bavarian brand can have right now, and things need to get sorted as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, other BMW brands are suffering too

Unfortunately, the issue centers around a critical function of the rear seat: child seat locks. Effectively, BMW has a system called ALR, or Automatic Locking Retractors. Basically, these retractors are designed to lock in a seatbelt for tight and effective child seat installation. A failure in these ALR units can result in an improperly secured child seat. Of course, that’s something we’d all like to avoid.

Moreover, it isn’t just BMW models that have been hit by the recall. Rather painfully, we’ve all been reminded that the Supra is more BMW than Toyota. It is also subject to recall. That’s not all, as Mini and even the legendary Rolls-Royce brands are mixed up in this too. Of course, the odds of your Rolls being subject to this recall are slim given how few vehicles the British marque produces year over year.

There’s a silver lining in the BMW recall

Now that’s quite a lot of bad news for Bavaria. Thankfully, Consumer Reports says there’s a silver lining. Rather, there’s several, and this recall is actually somewhat minor. That said, please do your due diligence and be sure rather than risking it. The ALR system is a sort of preemptive child crash safety system. There’s also ELR, or Emergency Locking Retractors. Those hold a child seat in place during an accident, so even if there is a crash, your child should be safe.

Moreover, most of the malfunctions have been found to be in the front seat ALR system. Not good news to be sure, but you shouldn’t be putting your child in the front seat near that landmine-sized airbag meant for adults anyway. However, it has to be noted several models can have these faulty ALR mechanisms in the rear. These include the BMW 2 Series convertibles, as well as the M2 Competition, 3 Series and M3 vehicles, as well as 5 Series vehicles.

Recalls are changing forever

The good news is, we’re getting better and better at preventing these things. The onset of quick over-the-air fixes and better production quality are to thank for that. In summary, don’t give your BMW brand vehicle the benefit of the doubt. Call your dealer to see if your vehicle has been affected and get that taken care of.

RELATED: Dieselgate 2: Volkswagen and BMW Fined in Another Emissions Scandal

The post BMW Recall: Faulty Child Seat Problems in Several Bimmer Brands appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

With that unique fascia, this Ford Ranger doesn’t look like a Ranger. And inside it definitely isn’t like a Ford Ranger. That’s because hydrogen is what powers this Ranger. H2X Global manufacturers this pickup Down Under. H2X calls it the “Warrego.”

A hydrogen-power Ranger called the “Warrego”

Warrego is the name of a river in Queensland, in case you were wondering. This pickup was never meant to go into production according to autoblog.NL. It was just an engineering exercise. Once customers showed interest in a hydrogen-powered Ranger, it reconsidered. 

Now orders are pouring in. H2X says it has orders from the Netherlands and other European countries, besides from its home base in Australia and Malaysia. Because the Ranger comes in a single-, extended-, and double-cab the Warrego will too. And there will be different variations of the hydrogen systems available. 

Payload capacity is nearly double that of a factory Ranger at 3,307 lbs. Power, however, is only 94 hp. But don’t forget, it is emissions-free. H2X is working on new hydrogen systems so that number will increase.  

Warrego production will begin next month

Right now H2X is forecasting production will begin in September and demonstrations will start in November. Sales will begin in the first half of 2022. Beyond that, there is little information currently available for the Warrego. 

Some people are critical of hydrogen. That’s because it takes a lot of energy to make hydrogen, whereas electric vehicles store the energy in batteries. It makes batteries a much more efficient use of the energy produced. 

The upside is hydrogen can be produced cleanly. Somewhere along the production chain electricity is causing emissions. Throughout its processing hydrogen production can be accomplished cleanly. Then there is the strategic threat from using batteries which require rare earth dependence.

Hydrogen-power could be an alternative to batteries which the US considers a strategic threat

The US government says that batteries pose a strategic threat because of their dependence on China-controlled manufacturing. Hydrogen can mitigate these problems to an extent. At least where EVs are not available or situations favor hydrogen and not electricity. 

Right now there are big hurdles to hydrogen use in the US. Hydrogen’s lower efficiency, system complexity, high costs, and too few charging stations are all contributing to hydrogen power not being more popular. Currently, Toyota makes the Mirai, Hyundai produces the NEXO, and Honda has the Clarity. 

Besides these cars powered by fuel cells in production, most of the other automakers in the world have tested hybrid conversions. Manufacturers understand hydrogen power. Hydrogen could see increased use in the US by minimizing the hurdles mentioned and, of course, arise in demand.

RELATED: Why Aren’t There More Hydrogen Powered Cars?

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