<p>As a precautionary measure MSI—the country’s largest car manufacturer—has decided to recall one lakh units of its flagship export model A-Star to replace a faulty fuel pump part.<br />“We have decided to replace a faulty rubber gasket used in about one lakh cars of A-Star model, which were manufactured before August 22, 2009, and sold in domestic as well as overseas markets to prevent any possible fuel leakage,” a company spokesperson said here on Tuesday. <br /><br />“As a precautionary measure we are recalling these units though no complaint has been received so far,” the spokesperson said.This decision was taken after the problem was discovered in an internal survey conducted by the company.<br /><br />Honda recall<br />Asked if the car would catch fire because of the faulty gasket, the spokesperson said “there is absolutely no such apprehension. Since there is a mismatch in quality we are replacing these parts as a pro-active step.” MSI’s decision to recall its flagship export model has come close on the heels of Honda recalling 8,532 units of its sedan City in India last month due to defective power window switches as part of a global recall initiative. Honda’s subsidiary in India—Honda Siel Cars India—had also decided to call back the lot of the second generation City, manufactured in 2007, for a preventive part replacement. Honda had said there was a potential problem of smoke coming out from power window switches of its Indian City models manufactured in 2007 if water seeped in when left open during heavy rain or due to spillage of liquid.<br /><br />“At Maruti Suzuki, we constantly monitor quality of our products through feedback and internal analysis. In one such exercise in November 2009, we came across an anomaly reported in the fuel tank in some of the vehicles and by December 2009 we started contacting the customers through letters,” the company said in a statement. <br />“These vehicles belonged to the lot made till 22nd August 2009 only. In case fuel is filled up to brim, beyond fuel auto cut off position, a possible fuel leakage from fuel pump mounting area may take place,” the statement said. “No problem has been reported by customers. However, as a proactive step, we decided to check all vehicles from the lot, around one lakh units including those exported overseas. We are changing fuel pump gasket and O ring at no cost to the customer,” the statement said. So far the company has changed the part in 50,000 units. “We are midway through the checking activity and hope to complete it soon. The final cost arrived at on this account will be shared with the supplier partner,” the spokesperson said. <br /><br />In November 2008 the MSI launched A-Star as a global model. The car is manufactured in its Manesar plant. <br /><br />A-Star is currently exported to nearly 70 countries and is sold as Suzuki Alto in Europe and some other countries.<br /><br /><br />Maruti shares tumble on recall<br />The shares of Maruti India plunged over 3 per cent on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on Tuesday, making it the biggest loser among the 30 Sensex companies following reports that the company is recalling one lakh units of its A-Star hatchback due to leakage in the fuel tank.<br />In a rather flat market, the Maruti counter tanked 4.44 per cent to Rs 1,320.25 on the BSE as reports came in about the recall, but later settled at Rs 1,336.85, still down by Rs 45 a share or 3.24 per cent.<br />On the National Stock Exchange, the the country’s premier car maker’s counter plunged Rs 50 a share or 3.62 per cent to close at Rs 1,335.75.<br /> Nearly 6 lakh shares changed hands on the two bourses today. This had a very negative impact on the overall indices as well as auto index.</p>
<p>As a precautionary measure MSI—the country’s largest car manufacturer—has decided to recall one lakh units of its flagship export model A-Star to replace a faulty fuel pump part.<br />“We have decided to replace a faulty rubber gasket used in about one lakh cars of A-Star model, which were manufactured before August 22, 2009, and sold in domestic as well as overseas markets to prevent any possible fuel leakage,” a company spokesperson said here on Tuesday. <br /><br />“As a precautionary measure we are recalling these units though no complaint has been received so far,” the spokesperson said.This decision was taken after the problem was discovered in an internal survey conducted by the company.<br /><br />Honda recall<br />Asked if the car would catch fire because of the faulty gasket, the spokesperson said “there is absolutely no such apprehension. Since there is a mismatch in quality we are replacing these parts as a pro-active step.” MSI’s decision to recall its flagship export model has come close on the heels of Honda recalling 8,532 units of its sedan City in India last month due to defective power window switches as part of a global recall initiative. Honda’s subsidiary in India—Honda Siel Cars India—had also decided to call back the lot of the second generation City, manufactured in 2007, for a preventive part replacement. Honda had said there was a potential problem of smoke coming out from power window switches of its Indian City models manufactured in 2007 if water seeped in when left open during heavy rain or due to spillage of liquid.<br /><br />“At Maruti Suzuki, we constantly monitor quality of our products through feedback and internal analysis. In one such exercise in November 2009, we came across an anomaly reported in the fuel tank in some of the vehicles and by December 2009 we started contacting the customers through letters,” the company said in a statement. <br />“These vehicles belonged to the lot made till 22nd August 2009 only. In case fuel is filled up to brim, beyond fuel auto cut off position, a possible fuel leakage from fuel pump mounting area may take place,” the statement said. “No problem has been reported by customers. However, as a proactive step, we decided to check all vehicles from the lot, around one lakh units including those exported overseas. We are changing fuel pump gasket and O ring at no cost to the customer,” the statement said. So far the company has changed the part in 50,000 units. “We are midway through the checking activity and hope to complete it soon. The final cost arrived at on this account will be shared with the supplier partner,” the spokesperson said. <br /><br />In November 2008 the MSI launched A-Star as a global model. The car is manufactured in its Manesar plant. <br /><br />A-Star is currently exported to nearly 70 countries and is sold as Suzuki Alto in Europe and some other countries.<br /><br /><br />Maruti shares tumble on recall<br />The shares of Maruti India plunged over 3 per cent on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on Tuesday, making it the biggest loser among the 30 Sensex companies following reports that the company is recalling one lakh units of its A-Star hatchback due to leakage in the fuel tank.<br />In a rather flat market, the Maruti counter tanked 4.44 per cent to Rs 1,320.25 on the BSE as reports came in about the recall, but later settled at Rs 1,336.85, still down by Rs 45 a share or 3.24 per cent.<br />On the National Stock Exchange, the the country’s premier car maker’s counter plunged Rs 50 a share or 3.62 per cent to close at Rs 1,335.75.<br /> Nearly 6 lakh shares changed hands on the two bourses today. This had a very negative impact on the overall indices as well as auto index.</p>
