AutoBeta(AutoBeta.net)01/05 Report--

According to overseas media reports, Daimler Group recently announced that it will conduct a large-scale recall in the United States, involving about 75 models, mainly because the skylight glass panels of the problematic models may fall off and fly away, causing danger.

The recall includes a total of 744000 C-Class, CLK-Class, CLS-Class and E-Class models produced between 2001 and 2011. Mercedes-Benz said all of the models had optional skylights and were recalled to the US Highway Traffic Administration because the bonding between the glass panels and the sliding frame may not comply with the regulations, resulting in the skylight being separated from the car.

Mercedes-Benz said it would contact the affected Mercedes-Benz owners after February 14 and inspect and replace the skylights free of charge. If any owners have replaced at their own expense, they will be able to seek return from Daimler. At the same time, Mercedes-Benz also said that there are still no specific figures for the problem in the world.

It is worth noting that last month, Mercedes-Benz was fined $20 million by US regulators because of the recall incident, because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted a year-long investigation into the recall of 1.4 million vehicles by Mercedes-Benz. The results showed that Mercedes-Benz did not notify users in time or submit a full report when it recalled the defective models. At least two recalls failed to start in time.

On this issue, Mercedes-Benz USA issued a statement, saying that it was because it missed the prescribed deadline and failed to report in time to take corrective action, which was not intentional. However, in the view of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Mercedes-Benz USA often fails to submit data to the agency's online tools, making it impossible for consumers to inquire whether their vehicles are under recall.

As a result, the US Transportation Administration asked Mercedes-Benz to provide detailed information on more than 20 recalls over the past three years, including airbag explosions, lack of steering power, and hidden dangers of sunroof panels falling off.

The situation about the recall of Mercedes-Benz is quite the opposite in China. Since Mercedes-Benz first issued the recall announcement in March this year, it has issued a total of 24 recalls this year, equivalent to two recalls per month, according to data from the State Administration of Market Supervision and Administration. The total recall is as high as 1.4582 million. For the whole of last year, Mercedes-Benz recalled only 178000 vehicles in China.

It is worth noting that Mercedes-Benz's cumulative figures for 2019 have not yet been released, but based on the first 11 months and monthly sales figures, Mercedes-Benz accumulated or reached about 700000 vehicles for the whole year, but recalled 145. this is equivalent to more recalled models than Mercedes-Benz sold in China for the whole of 2019.

Among them, the most common problem is the C-level and E-level shaft breakage, with a total recall of as much as 600000. In addition, for exquisite German craftsmanship, there are recalls such as C-class and CLS-class models due to the possible mixed installation of the engine turbocharger return pipe and the crankcase ventilation pipe. Also on July 15, Mercedes-Benz recalled 4699 S-class and CLS-class models due to possible deviations in the transmission control unit software and the assembly process of steering bellows.

Although Mercedes-Benz does not have as few recalls in China as in the United States, is it too frequent for domestic recalls? Since it is a luxury brand, whether it is more rigorous in terms of technology and craftsmanship, it should not be recalled because of some minor problems.

According to the global sales data of Mercedes-Benz in November, a total of 2.239 million vehicles were sold, of which 640000 were sold in China, accounting for nearly 30% of Mercedes-Benz's total sales, which shows that the Chinese market is of great strategic significance to Mercedes-Benz.

Some industry insiders believe that Chinese consumers' recognition of its brand is very high, which is the main reason why Mercedes-Benz has repeatedly experienced major rights incidents, but its sales remain high. But industry insiders also said that if Mercedes-Benz remains so resting on its laurels, turning a deaf ear to quality problems and turning a blind eye to consumer demands, it will eventually fail in the Chinese market.

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