Biggest since Maruti Suzuki’s recall 3 years ago.
By R Chandrasekaran
CHENNAI: In what is considered as the biggest recall of cars in India, the U.S. based General Motors’ Indian operating unit recalled 114,000 multi-utility vehicle Taveras to fix problems relating to emissions and specifications. This has prompted the government to look into aspects of the company’s testing methods.
The company disclosed that the recall is applicable to Chevrolet Tavera BS3, which is a 2.5 liter option and BS4, which is a 2 liter variant, vehicles that were sold to consumers from 2005 to 2013.
The move follows the company’s advice to its dealers to stop marketing Tavera and the diesel variants of Sail Sedan and Sail U-VA hatchback in early June.
This is probably the first time that General Motors is recalling its product in India, since its inception in 1995. The company told Indian government officials about emissions and some specifications problems. However, the company clarified that the issues are certainly not safety-related one.
Any company engaged in recall must inform the government, industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and the customers based on a voluntary recall policy implemented by the Indian automobile industry in July 2012.
GM’s Indian office disclosed that it was able to identify a solution to the problems faced with its Tavera models and performed the necessary engineering validation. The company is waiting for regulatory feedback. Its recent statement said, “After the proposed solution receives approval from authorities, GMI (GM India) will resume Tavera production and sale, and move forward with its recall and customer notification plan for both the BS3 and BS4 models.”
The company indicated that it will notify customers with regard to the timing of the submission of the vehicles. GM India’s statement also disclosed that all the 114,000 affected vehicles would be repaired free of cost from its 280 dealers network.
Until now, Maruti Suzuki holds the record of having recalled largest cars in India by recalling 100,000 units of its A-Star model to rectify faulty fuel pumps three years back. Recently, Ford India too recalled about 972 units of its sports utility vehicle EcoSport.
Meanwhile, GM India’s president and Managing Director Lowell Paddock commented, “our customers are at the center of everything we do. Exceeding their expectations begins with designing, building and selling the world’s best vehicles that endure over time.”
To contact the author, email to rchandrasekaran@americanbazaaronline.com