Concerns mount over Chinese production plans of the Ford Kuga, as SUV is recalled again globally

Gasgoo.com (Shanghai July 30) - Recent news that Ford is once again recalling the new Kuga may put Changan Ford's plans to manufacture the SUV in China on hold. According to various foreign reports, as cited by China Business News, Ford is in the process of recalling about half a million 2001 to 2004 model year Kuga SUVs worldwide. The recall, which affects just under 460,000 vehicles in the US and Canada, was issued due to complaints of the acceleration pedal sticking.

Not long ago, 11,500 Kugas (pictured) were recalled in North America due to risk of fuel leaks. The problem was determined to be caused due to faulty parts made by supplier TI Automotive.

Huang Xiaotao, head of public relations for Changan Ford, was adamant that problems overseas would not change the manufacturer's plans to manufacture the vehicle in China. "Any vehicle will encounter different situations in different models," he said, adding that "the Kuga's recalls in North American and other markets have no direct relations with plans to domestically manufacture the vehicle." In response to worries of similar problems occurring in China, Mr. Huang maintained that Changan Ford is actively working to ensure any quality problems are resolved. Exact production and sale dates for the Kuga have yet to be announced.

Ford sold a total of 2.81 million vehicles globally over the first half of the year. Its sales in China over the six month time period totaled 277,300 units, increasing ten percent from the previous year.