Shanghai GM yesterday recalled more than 230,000 Buick Regal and Buick LaCrosse models over faulty engine pipelines in China. Shanghai GM’s recall is the biggest in China’s auto industry this year and is the third of its kind for GM in China over the past two months. The joint venture between GM and SAIC Motor said the cars included 133,074 Buick Regal mid-class sedans with 2.0 or 2.4 liter engines produced by Shanghai GM between September 18, 2008 and October 14, 2010. The recall also affected 99,857 2.4-liter Buick LaCrosse sedans made between April 20, 2009 and October 14, 2010. Defects in engine pipelines could cause fuel leakages and result in sudden flameouts or a failure to start. There were also fire risks if there were sparks, the company said.
In early February, Shanghai GM announced the recall of 2,806 imported Cadillac CTS sedans in China due to steering problems. It also launched a recall of 6,075 of its minivan Wuling Hongguang in January. More than 1.17 million vehicles were recalled in China last year, most of which were produced by foreign car makers’ ventures, including Dongfeng Nissan and FAW Toyota. Last week, Toyota announced the recall of 5,202 imported Lexus cars in China to fix a malfunctioning gas-pedal problem. Shanghai General Motors was China’s top car seller last year with a 42 percent rise in sales to 1.03 million units. It produces and sells Buick, Chevrolet and Cadillac vehicles in China.