Chinese auto manufacturer Chery South Africa recalled thousands of vehicles to check for potential faults, and the nation’s consumer watchdog said it’s launched an investigation into the company.
The recall affects almost 24 000 vehicles that were either manufactured or made available for sale over the past three years, the National Consumer Commission said in a statement on its website.
The potential faults include rear-axle irregularities, welding defects and brake issues.
The NCC also said it initiated a separate probe into Chery last month over “allegations that certain vehicles were recalled without informing the NCC,” according to the statement. That investigation is continuing, it said.
“This is a voluntary, precautionary action. Not every vehicle in the campaign has a defect,” Verene Petersen, group communications manager for Chery South Africa, said in a statement.
“Parts are in South Africa, all repairs are free of charge, and vehicles currently on sale are not affected.”
The South African recall of Chery vehicles follow similar announcements in China and Malaysia this year.
Earlier this month, Chery submitted a recall proposal for almost 54 000 vehicles in China, while in October, the company issued a recall for 9 000 units.
Chinese carmakers account for more than a fifth of passenger vehicles sold in South Africa, up from less than 5% just five years ago.
Chery has seen a particularly rapid rise in its market share: In October it ranked third in passenger-vehicle sales, including its Jetour, Omoda and Jaecoo brands.
BLOOMBERG
