FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — German automaker Daimler, maker of Mercedes-Benz cars, is recalling more than a million vehicles worldwide over a wiring defect that could unexpectedly trigger the air bag.

Germany’s dpa news agency reported on Monday that 400,000 of the vehicles were registered in Britain and several hundred thousand in Germany, with other countries to follow.

Affected models include certain Mercedes-Benz A-Class, B-Class, C-Class and E-Class models, as well as CLA, GLC, GLK and V-Class.

Daimler says faulty wiring in the steering column means that static electricity could build up and set off the air bag when it wasn’t needed, dpa reported. The recalls are set to begin in the next several weeks when repair parts became available to ground the steering column and prevent the static build-up.

…Daimler plans new structure for Mercedes, truck business

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — German automaker Daimler says it is moving toward implementing a new structure in which its Mercedes-Benz car division and truck and bus business would become legally independent entities under Daimler’s overall roof.

The company said Monday that the changes would give the divisions the entrepreneurial flexibility to react to a rapidly changing business environment.

It said there were no plans to divest the divisions and that the new structure still needed approval from top management and the board of directors before it could take effect. The earliest final approval could come would be at the company’s 2019 shareholder meeting.

Nonetheless, the company’s initial discussion of the plan in July led to speculation that the changes could be a prelude to a separate stock market listing for parts of the company.

If the changes are approved, Mercedes-Benz cars and vans and Daimler trucks & buses would then be like the company’s financial services division, which already has a legally independent structure. All three would keep their registered offices in Germany.

Daimler AG’s CEO, Dieter Zetsche, said in a statement that “whoever aims for sustainable competitiveness and profitability must continuously evolve and adapt to rapidly changing surroundings — technologically, culturally and also structurally.”

Zetsche said the new structure would “make sure we are optimally prepared for the challenges in the new automotive era”. He is also the head of Mercedes-Benz Cars in addition to his CEO title.

The truck and bus division includes truck brands Freightliner, part of the company’s North American truck business headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Western Star and FUSO. It also makes Thomas Built school buses in High Point, North Carolina.

Major automakers are gearing up for what is expected to be a period of disruptive change spurred by digitalisation and government pressure to reduce air pollution from car exhaust pipes. The new challenges facing the industry include the development of autonomous or driverless cars, a push to make lower-emission electric vehicles more attractive to consumers, and the use of digital technologies such as smartphone apps that, for instance, let consumers use autos only when they need one.

Daimler’s new structure would also involve making a three-billion-euro (US$3.5 billion) contribution to the Daimler AG pension fund. The company, based in Stuttgart, said it has agreed with employee representatives on extending job protections through the end of 2029, as well as extending Daimler’s common profit-sharing bonuses. Those bonuses can be worth thousands of euros for workers in good years.

Daimler shares traded 0.3 per cent higher at 68.13 euros after the announcement.