Not Exactly an Order . . .

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NBC's flawed account notwithstanding, evidence has continued to mount linking General Motors pickup trucks to fiery crashes. Federal regulators were reluctant to recall the 5 million vehicles still on the road, but new tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finally persuaded them to act. The pickups' fuel tanks, says William Boehly, NHTSA's top enforcement official, "have a risk of fire in fatal side-impact crashes that is 2.4 times greater than that of Ford trucks. General Motors should therefore initiate a recall." About 300 people have died in crashes involving GM trucks. The callback, which could cost the automaker as much as $1 billion, is a request and not an order. GM, arguing that NHTSA is relying on questionable data, may refuse the appeal. The company, which has until April 30 to respond, has vigorously defended the fuel tanks against lawsuits and critical news reports, most notably Dateline NBC. If GM balks, NHTSA could demand a recall.