Chrysler is to recall 58,643 imported vehicles in China due to issues with the engine hood, state media Xinhua reports, quoting the regulatory body, the Chinese General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ). The recall involves the Dodge Journey sport utility vehicle (SUV) manufactured between 19 July 2010 and 26 May 2015. Chrylser will fix the faulty components free of charge with the recall to begin 31 October. The faulty components refer to the engine hood which may become loose and touch the exhaust manifold, the statement says. Meanwhile, GAC-Changfeng will recall 9,644 vehicles over airbag issues, reports Xinhua, quoting the AQSIQ. The recall involves the Pajero V73 SUV produced between 25 November 2010 and 28 December 2011. The issue relates to the airbag propellant, and inflators in the front airbags could rupture with broken parts potentially capable of harming passengers.
Significance: The Pajero recall refers to models produced under the three-way joint venture (JV) between Guangzhou Auto, Changfeng, and Japanese automaker Mitsubishi which then held just a minority 15% stake. But since then, Mitsubishi has gained a 50% stake in a JV with GAC, buying out Changfeng. This became feasible after GAC-Changfeng Motor was disbanded to form a new JV, using the existing vehicle production licence and the Changfeng plant in Changsha. According to IHS Automotive production data, a total of 9,718 Pajero units were produced in China in 2010, dropping to 8,419 in 2011 and 5,486 in 2012. Meanwhile, Chrysler has been hit with a number of recalls in China this year; in April, 8,318 Grand Cherokee models were recalled following a recall for 14,213 Wrangler models in March, and 8,645 Grand Cherokees recalled in December 2014 following a recall for 11,013 Grand Cherokees earlier in 2014. Meanwhile, the Grand Cherokee has this month begun production in China.
