China auto quality complaints up 36.8% in 2008

Defective Product of Administration Center (DPAC), a branch under China's quality supervisor, received 2,933 auto quality complaints in 2008, an annual increase of 36.8 percent.

"Consumers usually file complaints to sale stores, car-makers and local consumer associations first, which received 90 percent of the complaints," said the center's information office director Wu Yousheng.

"If those complaints don't work, consumers will turn to the DPAC," he explained, "which means 2,933 complaints are a big number and auto quality issues have become a major concern for Chinese consumers."

Among domestic car-makers, Chang'an Ford Mazda Automotive Corporation received 386 complaints, the most among all auto-makers, followed by Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. of 242complaints and Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. of 235.

For overseas car-makers, the French brand Reno received 56 complaints, the most among its peers, followed by BMW of 21 complaints and Mitsubishi of 20.

Official data shows that 54 foreign and domestic auto-makers recalled more than 1.84 million vehicles in China over the past 4 years. Guangzhou Honda Automobile Co., Ltd. made the single largest recall, which involved more than 420,000 Accords in March 2007.