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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| GM recalls 1.3m cars over fault | GM recalls 1.3m cars over fault |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| General Motors (GM) is recalling 1.3 million small cars in North America because of a power steering problem that has been linked to 14 crashes. | General Motors (GM) is recalling 1.3 million small cars in North America because of a power steering problem that has been linked to 14 crashes. |
| The firm said four models were affected - the Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, Pontiac Pursuit and Pontiac 4. | The firm said four models were affected - the Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, Pontiac Pursuit and Pontiac 4. |
| It said the fault meant that at low speeds "greater steering effort may be required", but that the cars could still be "safely controlled". | It said the fault meant that at low speeds "greater steering effort may be required", but that the cars could still be "safely controlled". |
| GM blamed the fault on a supplier partially owned by Toyota. | GM blamed the fault on a supplier partially owned by Toyota. |
| GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz told the BBC at the Geneva Motor show: "This is a case where, yes, we would blame a partially Toyota-owned supplier." | GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz told the BBC at the Geneva Motor show: "This is a case where, yes, we would blame a partially Toyota-owned supplier." |
| Recalling these vehicles is the right thing to do for our customers' peace of mind Jamie Hresko, GM vice president of quality | |
| Mr Lutz said the supplier had not met "all requirements for reliability and durability". | Mr Lutz said the supplier had not met "all requirements for reliability and durability". |
| "So we will have to see who takes financial responsibility," he said. "But this is a risk you sometimes take when you buy a complete system from a supplier." | "So we will have to see who takes financial responsibility," he said. "But this is a risk you sometimes take when you buy a complete system from a supplier." |
| Complaints | Complaints |
| GM said it had told the US car safety regulator - the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) - about the recall on Monday when it finished an investigation that started last year. | GM said it had told the US car safety regulator - the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) - about the recall on Monday when it finished an investigation that started last year. |
| ANALYSIS By Jorn Madslien, Business reporter, BBC News, Geneva | |
| Good news at the Geneva motor show is tempered by bad news out of the US. | |
| GM hopes its investment of an additional 1.3bn euros in its European Opel/Vauxhall subsidiary will convince European governments to back its remaining funding requirements by guaranteeing loans. | |
| But as GM recalls some 1.3 million models in the US, it seems reluctant to take responsibility for the faulty power steering, as the part in question was produced by a Toyota-owned subsidiary. | |
| GM's willingness to pass the buck could further damage Toyota's image - or it could backfire as the affair turns into a mighty row that could involve the US and Japanese governments as well as their largest automotive groups. New investment for Opel | |
| The NHTSA itself had been investigating the problem since 27 January after receiving more than 1,100 complaints, including 14 crashes and one injury. | |
| The recall covers the 2005 to 2010 model year Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 to 2010 Pontiac G5 sold in the US. | The recall covers the 2005 to 2010 model year Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 to 2010 Pontiac G5 sold in the US. |
| In addition, it includes the 2005 to 2006 Pontiac Pursuit sold in Canada, and the 2005 to 2006 Pontiac G4 sold in Mexico. | In addition, it includes the 2005 to 2006 Pontiac Pursuit sold in Canada, and the 2005 to 2006 Pontiac G4 sold in Mexico. |
| "After our in-depth investigation, we found that this is a condition that takes time to develop," said GM vice president of quality, Jamie Hresko. | |
| "It tends to occur in older models out of warranty. Recalling these vehicles is the right thing to do for our customers' peace of mind." | |
| The GM recall comes as Toyota is continuing to call back more than eight million cars around the world following accelerator and braking problems. | The GM recall comes as Toyota is continuing to call back more than eight million cars around the world following accelerator and braking problems. |