Almost 20,000 cars made by Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile Company Ltd are to be recalled because of an electrical fault.

 

The vehicle's dynamotor, which converts an alternating electrical current into a direct current, has a problem that could prevent the cars from running normally.

 

This is the 12th time this year that cars made in China have been recalled because of a problem. This case is the second-largest recall by volume.

 

From today, China's third-largest joint venture automaker, a link up between Dongfeng Motor Group Co and French PSA Peugeot Citroen, will start recalling 19,306 vehicles.

 

The firm informed the State General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine last week that it would check Elysee and Fukang vehicles made between December 2005 and March this year.

 

According to the administration, the fault could cause problems in the battery, which could then influence the natural running of the vehicles.

 

The company said it would inform car owners by telephone and would guarantee to replace the defective part free of charge.

 

A firm spokesman told China Daily that the same vehicles made after March 9 had been improved, and there had been no reports of problems.

 

The administration has made two other recall announcements this month, involving a handful of vehicles made by Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Corp Ltd, and more than 1,000 imported Space Wagons made by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.

 

Since February this year, a slew of foreign and domestic carmakers have announced recalls, involving a total of 33,131 vehicles.

 

Analysts believe it is not simply a coincidence that nine car manufacturers have submitted 11 recall reports this year.

 

They say carmakers are now more eager to quickly to report faults and recall vehicles in order to show they are responsible companies.

 

Analysts believe vehicle recalls in China are good for the healthy development of the auto industry.

 

The nation launched its first auto recall regulations in October 2004.

 

(China Daily April 18, 2006)