China-made cars recalled in Australia over asbestos concerns
China?s Chery Auto Continues Recall from Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, Singapore - International Business Times
Chinese cars sold in Brazil also recalled.
China-made cars recalled in Australia over asbestos concerns
SYDNEY - An Australian importer recalled 23,000 Chinese-made cars after asbestos was found inside engine and exhaust gaskets, the nation's consumer watchdog said Wednesday.
Ateco Automotive, which imports the cars made by Great Wall Motor Co. and Chery Automobile, ordered dealers to stop selling the affected vehicles and recalled gaskets that were distributed as spare parts, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said in a statement.
"The asbestos is bound into gaskets in the engine and exhaust system and does not present any risk to consumers during use of the vehicle," the watchdog agency said. "However, consumers should not perform do-it-yourself maintenance that might disturb these gaskets."
Australia has prohibited the importation of asbestos a known carcinogen since 2004.
The recall is a blow to Great Wall and Chery, which have been looking to expand their businesses beyond the domestic market.
China?s Chery Auto Continues Recall from Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, Singapore - International Business Times
Chinas Chery Auto Continues Recall from Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, Singapore
Two weeks after Chery Auto, China's largest domestic automobile manufacturer and exporter, recalled some 23,000 vehicle units from Australia due to findings of potential cancer-causing asbestos in some models, the company announced it is set to recall an additional 18,000 units from overseas, still due to the same reason.
In an emailed statement sent to news organizations on Wednesday, Chery Auto said a total of 18,875 vehicles, including Tiggo SUVs and A3 compact sedans, would be recalled from Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina and Singapore following a self-imposed inspection, in light of the inspection findings carried by the Australian authorities.
Jin Yibo, company spokesman, said the gaskets or exhaust systems installed in those vehicle models contained small amounts of asbestos, a known carcinogen, which violated regulations set in countries overseas. Asbestos is banned in 55 nations because of the fiber's links to cancer and respiratory illnesses.
Chinese cars sold in Brazil also recalled.