Honda Motor Co, Japan's second-largest car maker, yesterday confirmed it is to replace a defective part in about 31,000 of its popular Accord models in China, which could potentially emit harmful gas.

A spokeswoman from Guangzhou Honda, the company's joint venture in South China's Guangdong Province, said Honda has decided to replace the defective part at no charge at any of its 160 authorized sales outlets until September 10.

The defect centers on a rubber exhaust connector in the engine which could shrink in cold weather and then loosen when the car accelerates or is driven over a rough surface.

The defect does not affect the car's performance but could cause pollution, the spokeswoman said, adding the recall is part of Honda's commitment to environmental awareness.

The recall covers the 2- and 2.4-litre Accord sedans built at the Guangzhou plant between January 15 and June 17 this year.

Honda had announced the recall of 29,494 Accords in Japan last week, citing a similar defect.

Honda has been one of the more successful of several firms competing for a piece of China's booming car market, thanks largely to the popularity of the Accord.

Guangzhou Honda, a joint venture of Honda and Hong Kong-listed Denway Motors, sold 47,863 new and used Accords in the first seven months of 2003.

The defect has prompted five complaints in Japan but none so far in China, the spokeswoman said. No accident has been reported in either country.

"No mechanism in China stipulates the recall of cars as it does in Japan, but Honda decided to replace the rubber connector in order to provide the same service to Chinese consumers," the spokeswoman added.

(China Daily August 26, 2003)