China stops importing some Renault vehicles

Shanghai, June 11 (Gasgoo.com) China's quality regulator has found certain models of vehicles made by French automaker Renault S.A. to have severe safety problems and decided to stop importing them, xinhuanet.com reported.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) banned the Laguna Ph2, Scenic/Long Scenic, Megane Ph2 and Megane Ph2 Coupe-Cabriolet. The ban came into the effect on June 4.

The AQSIQ said in a statement yesterday that the cars don't meet China's national standards of vehicle safety. The French company said that these vehicles in question were damaged in transit and that there are no issues connected to manufacturing.

Cars exported to China by the French company pose "serious potential safety risks," the quality watchdog said. The faults concern 160 older-generation vehicles that were built in 2007. Renault is urged to examine its quality-control measures and take steps to ensure the safety of its products.

"We're sending a team of experts to look into it and to make sure we establish the proper processes," Renault spokeswoman Gita Roux said. "Our concern is to ensure that we comply fully with requirements of the Chinese authorities."

In March 2008, Renault was warned by the AQSIQ for not reporting problems concerning its Megane models to the Chinese government when it recalled the model in Europe for transmission issues.