Some of the leading car manufacturers in the Indian automotive market are collaborating to devise a recall code which is expected to come into effect from next week. The auto markets in developed countries have their own recall norms to handle issues with 'Lemon Cars', a generic term for models that have manufacturing or safety defects. The Indian automotive market is not new to such cars as there have been several recalls in the past. The new recall code will ensure that auto companies in the country follow a strict protocol and improve manufacturing process to ensure higher safety standards. This will make sure that only a quality product rolls out from the manufacturing plants.
The action on complaints regarding the engineering defects on new cars would assure accelerated and steadfast claims. A decision has been taken by the members of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) to announce the reported defect or technical flaw in their models by themselves.
Unlike other markets like Europe, US and Japan, India is yet to put together a mandatory system to ensure timely corrective action from car makers to take care of manufacturing defects. There is no strict protocol in the country for this and the car makers are not held responsible for the defects and, hence, are not obligated to recall the vehicles. However, in the western countries, a government body is empowered to recall the faulty vehicles and impose penalties on the company if a serious defect is found.
The new recall code will be brought into effect from July 1, 2012 and will enforce car manufacturers to publicly declare any reported defects or faults in their models. Companies like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, TVS Motors, Tata Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, Honda, Ashok Leyland, Eicher, Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp and Mahindra & Mahindra will abide by this code.
Recall norms are strictly enforced in the developed automotive markets. To illustrate, the American road authority, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), forced General Motors to recall 4.13 lac units of sedan Cruze on June 23, 2012. The NHTSA took this step after receiving two customer complaints regarding fire caused by oil trapped in the powertrain cabin.
