General Motors India to recall 1.5 lakh cars over battery issues

General Motors India has announced a vehicle safety recall of Chevrolet Spark, Beat and Enjoy vehicles manufactured between 2007-2014 over battery issues.

The third largest car manufacturer in the world is recalling its three small cars fitted with a remote keyless entry accessory which allows owners to open their cars without a traditional, mechanical key.

GM India said in a statement that it would recall Chevrolet Spark and Beat hatchbacks and multi-purpose vehicles manufactured between 2007 and 2014 that are fitted with the accessory, a gadget which allows owners to open their cars without a traditional, mechanical key.

"The remote keyless entry accessory meets all the relevant regulatory standards; however, GM India has been made aware of some isolated cases where certain Chevrolet Spark, Beat and Enjoy vehicles were fitted with a faulty accessory," the company said in a statement.

The recall will affect approximately 1,55,000 vehicles in the country.

"Over 8,00,000 cars have been recalled in the country since 2012. This year alone has seen at least five major recalls covering over 70,000 vehicles," according to a report published in Hindustan Times.

It is the biggest voluntary recall in the country on part of General Motors. The automobile manufacturer has informed the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) about the recall.

Director for after sales at GM India, Anand Kumar, is writing letters to owners of its three small cars to repair the battery wiring.

The recall is only for the vehicles fitted with remote keyless entry accessory made by component maker AutoCop. GM is recalling the vehicles as the defective battery wiring can cause a short circuit with the potential risk of fire. An official at the company added that GM had found a potential wiring fault that could make the accessory malfunction and lock customers out.

The battery wiring harness will be modified free of cost at designated centers and it will take approximately two hours for the process, according to the report.

The GM recall follows a move in 2013 to recall 1,14,000 Tavera sports utility vehicles.