Automakers begin massive recalls in China

The logo of Nissan Motor Co is pictured on a vehicle at the company's showroom in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, May 12, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

Several big automakers are about to initiate massive recalls in China alongside sluggish sales in the world's largest auto market.

Tianjin FAW Toyota, Changan Ford, Dongfeng Motor, Nissan China and Zhengzhou Nissan Auto plan to recall up to 700,000 cars and SUVs because of potential safety hazards, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine published on its website on May 14.

The notices came after auto sales have seen their slowest growth in months. The China Passenger Car Association said that retail deliveries of cars, multipurpose and sport utility vehicles climbed 6.2 percent to 1.61 million units in April, the lowest growth since November.

According to the quality watchdog's notice, Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co Ltd will recall 302,705 Vios and Corolla EX cars produced from January 2004 to March 2007.

The reason is the possibility of flying metal shards when airbags open on the copilot's seat due to problematic air bag inflators provided by Tokyo-based supplier Takata Corp.

Problems from the same supplier will force Dongfeng Motor, Nissan China and Zhengzhou Nissan to recall 267,416 faulty models produced from June 2003 to March 2007.

The affected models, which will be recalled from July 13, include locally made Sunny, Blue Bird and Teana cars, imported TYT and Paladin SUVs and locally made X-Trail SUVs.

Teana cars account for the lion's share, totaling 130,399 units, followed by Sunny with 66,569. Changan Ford will recall 172,864 new Mondeo models produced between January 2013 and March 2015 starting from June 22 over steering problems, said the notice.

Contact the writers through lifusheng@chinadaily.com.cn and duxiaoying1@chinadaily.com.cn