Mercedes-Benz, a unit of German-US auto giant DaimlerChrysler AG, announced on Monday, Jan. 12, 2004, that it will recall 17 potentially faulty sedans sold in China.

A Mercedes-Benz C-Class sport sedan is shown in this undated photo. [file/AFP]

The move is part of the company's global recall of 33,000 vehicles.

The vehicles being recalled are the C-, CLK- and E-class sedans produced between August and October, a spokesperson in Mercedes-Benz's Beijing office said yesterday.

"There were isolated cases in which the seat belts failed to click into place correctly." the spokesperson said.

"For this reason, Mercedes-Benz has decided as a precaution to check all of these vehicles. To date, we have not received any specific complaints from customers."

Mercedes-Benz has reported the situation to both the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China (AQSIQ) and the China Consumer Association, the spokesperson said.

"We are gathering information from our sales networks ... so we can ensure prompt and proper communication with the owners of the vehicles," she added.

"These vehicles' seat belts will be replaced, for free, if necessary."

Mercedes-Benz's recall follows similar moves last year by several other foreign automakers -- including Japan's Honda and Nissan -- in China.

These voluntary recalls come as the Chinese Government prepared to implement a national vehicle recall system.

China will launch a national system to recall faulty products, beginning with vehicles, later this year, AQSIQ officials said.

"All faulty vehicles should be recalled in China for the sake of consumers' interests," said Jia Xinguang, an analyst with the China National Automotive Industry Consulting and Development Corp.

Vehicle recalls are relatively common in the world's other major markets, especially in the United States, the European Union and Japan.

But it is a sensitive issue for China's vehicle manufacturers, because the country does not have a recall system.

"We should follow international practices, as China's car market is growing very rapidly," said Du Fangci, deputy secretary-general of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

However, the recall system is just one aspect of vehicle security management, and a national law concerning vehicle security is badly needed in China, Du said.

Domestic automakers, Du added, should improve product quality.

Mercedes-Benz's C- and E-class sedans will be produced next year at Beijing Jeep, the joint venture between Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp and DaimlerChrysler.

Initial annual output of the luxury vehicles will be 25,000 units.

Mercedes-Benz sold 9,200 sedan in the Chinese mainland last year, up from nearly 7,200 units last year.

Sales of vehicles manufactured in China exceeded 4 million units last year, up from 3.25 million units in 2002.

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