Aston Martin recalls 1,658 vehicles worldwide, Chinese dealers to take the blame

According to Reuters, Andy Palmer, CEO of British supercar Aston Martin, said that 1,658 Vantage vehicles will be recalled worldwide. The reason for the recall is reportedly due to a routine transmission software update that caused the vehicle to stall. Palmer revealed that as far as Aston Martin knows, there have been 21 cases of sudden engine stalling in China. In this recall, the fluid connector in the transmission will also be replaced.

Since 2014, Chinese consumers have complained about vehicle problems. In May this year, Aston Martin sent a team of engineers to China to investigate the problem. Palmer said that the recall decision was made after the investigation. "Usually, recalls start in the United States. Interestingly, this recall started in China and then evolved into a global recall." "This also proves that the Chinese market is more important, the consumer group is becoming more mature, and the regulatory authorities are more responsible." In 2016, Aston Martin sold 3,259 vehicles worldwide, with sales in China accounting for about 8%.

Aston Martin pointed out that Chinese regulatory authorities have always paid attention to consumer complaints, so the recall plan was first communicated to Chinese regulatory authorities. As of press time, Chinese regulatory authorities have not responded.

Palmer did not give a specific estimate of the recall cost. However, according to people familiar with the matter, Aston Martin predicts that the entire recall will cost 300,000 pounds (about 2,581,500 yuan). The Vantage vehicles recalled were produced from June 2010 to September 2013 and are equipped with Sportshift I and Sportshift II automated manual transmission gearboxes, a total of 1,658 vehicles. Among them, about 113 vehicles are in China.

Dealers and consumers lack operational experience

Before going to China for monitoring, the engineering team had conducted multiple tests in the laboratory, but none of them could simulate the sudden flameout. After arriving in China, the engineers found that after the software update, some vehicles had abnormal noise and vibration, and even engine flameout.

As for the vehicle's problems, Palmer said dealers in China failed to reset the clutch position after the vehicle's automatic transmission system was upgraded. If the reset is not done, the vehicle may stall.

Palmer said that considering that Chinese dealers and consumers have little experience in operating or maintaining supercars such as Aston Martin, Aston Martin should have made it clear to dealers what they needed to do. "It was our fault. We failed to clearly explain the steps and we should be responsible for the repair."

Three years ago, Aston Martin recalled its sports cars due to the risk of accelerator pedal arm breaking. Aston Martin said the reason for the recall was that the supplier from China used inferior plastic materials and announced that it would transfer the production line to the UK as soon as possible.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.