CCTV exposes Volkswagen for second time
Print Edition
CHINA Central Television struck out against Volkswagen AG in its second exposé targeting the automaker this week, alleging this time that the company overlooked dangerous engine leaks in its Chinese cars.
The CCTV segment yesterday alleged that Volkswagen customer service and dealerships ignored complaints of oil leaks pooling in the engine tray, an issue that third-party experts said could be a fire hazard.
The report “does pass the sniff test,” said James Feldkamp, CEO of Shanghai-based consumer watchdog MingJian.
Volkswagen has recalled more than 93,000 2014 and 2015 models globally, including some models from subsidiaries Audi and Porsche, over fuel leak issues as well as nearly 38,000 in the US, Feldkamp said.
“It looks entirely plausible that the engine problems they’re having with the leak are more widespread than originally reported,” he said.
CCTV said it found complaints of engine leaks in Volkswagen cars in Shanghai, Beijing and at least eight of China’s provinces. The report mentioned Magotan sedan and Tiguan SUV models.
When the owners featured in the program contacted dealers or Shanghai Volkswagen customer service, they were told such leakages were normal.
In 2013, CCTV reported on Volkswagen transmission gearboxes causing cars to speed up or slow down. That report spurred a recall.
A Volkswagen spokeswoman declined to comment on the latest CCTV report.
The exposé follows on CCTV’s annual “3.15” consumer rights day investigative special aired on Sunday that alleged Volkswagen, Nissan Motor Co and Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz dealerships oversold repair services and parts that drivers did not need.
McDonald’s, Apple and Starbucks have all been subjects of CCTV “3.15” exposés in the past.
China is the world’s largest auto market, and Volkswagen, through its SAIC Motor Corp and FAW Group joint ventures, was the country’s top selling automaker in 2014.
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