[tanwaramit]

Finally GoI plans a law against carmakers to ensure that they look at defective vehicles and do a recall else face penalties.

Better late than never
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Govt plans laws for auto recall - Hindustan Times

Govt plans laws for auto recall
India may soon have its own set of recall laws for vehicles that would compel domestic car manufacturers to recall cars in case of a technical or manufacturing defect, a senior government official said on Wednesday.

Recall laws are an integral feature of the automotive policy in all major markets such as the US and European Union nations and is considered a vital tool for passenger and vehicle safety.

In other markets, manufacturers are often penalised for not taking adequate steps to redress a technical snag. In the US for example, such a law has been in force since 1966 and around 400 million vehicles, 46 million tyres and 66 million pieces of components have been recalled till date.

However, in India, carmakers are not obliged under law to recall vehicles.

"We will set up an umbrella body as the National Automotive Board in the next 2-3 months, which among other things would also look at provisions for recall," said Ambuj Sharma, joint secretary, ministry of heavy industries and public enterprises. "Right now the guidelines for recalls is being debated. We are also discussing imposition of penalties to a auto maker if it does not recall a vehicle despite problems."

In India, most carmakers have been coy about recalls as it is perceived as a bad word. Most recalls in the country happen as part of global recalls but on numerous instances (see table) manufacturers have taken redressal measures without calling it a recall.

"In every aspect, India is progressing and catching up with global standards, so it is time when we looked at recalls as well," said Jnaneswar Sen, senior vice-president, Honda Siel Cars India.

The government also said that it is hopeful of bringing in full crash tests for cars by 2014. This is expected to make cars safer and bridge the gap with developed markets. Crash tests were originally slated to come into effect by 2012, but have been delayed as the two testing facilities are running behind schedule.

[swiftnfurious]

Good news for the customers. I hope they make really stringent points to penalise the manufacturers for the straight-from-factory lemons too. Unless we have such rules, the quality will not be improving for those who really don't think about making niggle free products. And the crash tests should make sure to get rid of built-to-cost vehicles as well. Let one of the biggest markets have the BEST products soon.

[murillo]

Better late than never. This is a welcome move and a relief to customers who are left with lemons. India needs to fast track its auto industry/market/laws and catch up with the rest of the world. I feel despite "recall" being a bad word, it can actually positively reinforce customer's perception of the brand which will benefit both the customers and the company in the long term. The companies have to up the ante on quality and constantly monitor and maintain high standards and customer satisfaction. Some brand cars that are prone to niggles may find this move unpalatable.

Along the same reformist lines, the government should rationalize the plethora of taxes on vehicles like road tax, RTO charges, octroi, etc. This will give the auto companies the flexibility to invest in stringent quality and safety controlling. Also, it will be good to have a look at the dealer pricing practices wherein they include charges under strange heads like handling charges, depot charges, etc. The auto companies have the habit of giving short shrift to lower petrol variants and diesel variants by knocking off essential features forcing the consumer to go for a higher variant where the margins may be more for the dealer and company, e.g., Polo allowing only two colors for the base variant - I mean, all Polos go through the same paint booths in the same manufacturing location, right? Why not allow all the colors to the base variant?

[myavu]

Source : HT Business - Hindustan Times Govt plans laws for auto recall

Newspaper cuttings here



At last government is serious this time.

Cheers!

Vinu

[the VTEC guy]

This is a good news. I believe there is still time for actual implementation. Many Auto manufacturers may lobby against it or atleast try and influence for softer penalties etc.
Skoda should be watching this very carefully.

[Swanand Inamdar]

Great news indeed! Time the GOI planned something like this already. With so many car's developing defects, such a law was due for a long time. Only hope, that this one's passed quickly, without any debates.

@Skoda: Time to start working on the defects, before releasing the cars? Bettter to be pro-active, than the Govt asking you to do so, right?

[9thsphinx]

There's an existing thread on the same issue on this forum.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...-end-year.html