China’s Chery Widens Asbestos Recall to Six Countries

Chery Automobile Co. says it will expand a recall of cars with exhaust and engine gaskets that contain asbestos by 18,900 cars in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Singapore and Uruguay, where the carcinogen is banned.

The asbestos problem came to light in mid-August when Chery and Great Wall Motor Co. China's two largest domestic vehicle exporters were forced to recall a combined 23,000 cars in Australia.

The company has not disclosed whether it will recall similar models in China where asbestos is not banned or in any of other export markets. Chery and Great Wall say they now use asbestos-free parts in all vehicles made for China and export markets.

Gaskets tainted with small amounts of asbestos are probably harmless to humans except when removed for maintenance because the fibers are bound with other materials, safety experts say. They note that the main danger from asbestos in autos has involved brakes because asbestos-laden brake dust can be inhaled.

The greatest damage from the recalls may be to the quality control reputations of Chery and other Chinese carmakers that plan to rapidly increase exports, according to analysts. They note those companies are using Australia as a test market for vehicles they aim to eventually sell in Europe and North America.