Two Recalls; One Existential, One Confounding

Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler founded Fisker Automotive in 2007 to build the first premium hybrid electric vehicle. The company now produces a total of one vehicle today, devoting all time and resources into the very sleek Karma. This is high-end plug-in hybrid luxury, as the Karma retails for $100,000. Fifty of the 2012 editions have been sold, and 1,200 more are in production. Unfortunately, the car’s battery pack has improperly installed hoses that could cause a coolant leak and engine fires, so Fisker is recalling all of ‘em. Check out a picture below (I ain’t a liar! Thing’s ultra-cool, though owner surveys are currently unavailable for answers about a possible shift in karmic energy post-luxury purchase.)

GM is also embroiled in a recall, though without the existential underpinnings. This recall stems from possible idiocy and definite negligence. 4,296 2012 Chevrolet Sonics are being recalled due to missing…brake pads. Forgetting to install brake pads (brake pads!!!!)  is, well, kind of unacceptable. Also unacceptable is GM’s explanation for the error. The pads allegedly fell off before the cars were assembled and went unnoticed at the bottom of the shipping containers (until they were noticed and container crews stood around scratching their heads).

At least GM can precisely count to 4,296. But the brake pads just “fell off”? Where do brake pads just fall off from?