Holden recalls faulty cars
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Besieged car manufacturer Holden is recalling more than 26,000 faulty cars because of engine fires and discontinuing its electric Volt model because of abysmal sales.
Holden has recalled any Colarado utes and family SUVs built in Thailand and sold between September 2013 and January 2015 because they might catch fire.
The recall comes after Holden announced all its car production would be moved offshore by 2017, a decision Tony Abbott described as a “dark day” for manufacturing in Australia.
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The manufacturer says almost every one of the cars sold in the past 18 months is at risk of the fault as five drivers reported “thermal incidents” while on the road.
Dealers have received a “stop delivery notice” from Holden that says they should urge Colorado owners to bring their car in for repair.
There’ll be no more Holden electric cars sold in Australia. Photo: Getty
A notice on the Federal Government’s Product Safety Recalls Australia website says: “Under certain driving conditions the insulation on the cable may wear, resulting in the potential for an electrical short circuit to develop between the cable and the bracket” on part of the vehicle’s engine.
Anyone who owns one of the “2014 & 2015 RG Colorado Crew Cab, Single Cab, Space Cab, and RG Colorado 7 S” models needs to look out for written notice from Holden with more information.
The recall is the fifth for Holden this year and the third in the month of April alone, making it the most recalled car brand for 2015. In 2014 Holden shared that title with Jeep, with a record number of 14 recalls.
Cheaper manufacturing wages and parts overseas have been blamed for Holden’s move out of Australia, but these recall figures may raise concerns about the quality of such production.
‘Volt’ electric car dumped
In another announcement it seems Australian’s aren’t ready for electric cars.
Holden also confirmed it had ceased production on the current model Volt, which only sold seven units in Australia this year, and would not be importing the next generation model from America.
“In light of General Motors’ decision not to proceed with a right-hand-drive program for the next generation Volt, Holden can confirm that it will not be bringing this electric vehicle to Australia,” Holden spokeswoman Kate Lonsdale told News Corp.
– with Ebony Bowden
