The car recall system is about to fall

In February of this year, the Legal Affairs Office of the State Council issued the "Regulations on the Recall of Defective Automobile Products (Draft for Soliciting Opinions)" and openly solicited opinions from all sectors of society. According to reports, the "Regulations on the Recall of Defective Automobile Products" has been listed in the State Council's legislative plan, which means that this is an important legislative work concerning the quality and safety of automobiles. It has been getting closer and closer to consumers.

Domestic car recall system "upgrade"

As early as eight years ago, Zeng Qinghong, a person in the automotive industry and the National People's Congress’s representative, appeared in the public's view with the proposal to "propose China to implement a car recall system." At that time, China’s car ownership was still far from as large as it is today, and people are still a little unfamiliar with the terms used for car recalls. However, in early February of this year, the “Regulations on Recalling Defective Automobile Product Management (Draft for Solicitation of Comments)” (hereinafter referred to as “Regulations”) issued by the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council made the recall of cars recalled on the agenda. The system that has been brewing for a full eight years is about to fall in the midst of expectations. Can eight years of hard work and running-in make this system take root?

Regarding the "Regulations", many parties understand that it is an out-and-out "upgraded version" of car recalls. "From this draft of the consultation, we can see that the content of the recall has been significantly expanded." According to Wu Jing, deputy director of the Department of Economic Law of the China University of Political Science and Law, several amendments have different additions. The progress of the new draft this time is also reflected. In the absence of a distinction between domestic and foreign manufacturers, all measures are taken equally. Because the Opinion Draft also clearly states that foreign companies that sell cars in the Chinese market are also included in the scope of supervision.

Other highlights of the "Regulations" have also led to the interpretation of the parties. According to the “Regulations”, “automobile manufacturers and operators confirm that there are defects in automotive products, they should immediately stop the production and sales of imported defective automotive products, and implement the recall. Do not refuse to implement the recall of defective products, in serious cases can be directly revoked related licenses.” Mr. Liu from his hometown in Shanghai said: “In the past, this severe punishment was hardly seen, but this time it seemed to show the government’s determination to protect the rights and interests of consumers.” In addition, for Mr. Liu who has already exchanged private cars three times. The “Regulations” stipulates that “anyone can complain about possible defects in automotive products” is also a relatively strong guarantee for car owners. It can be seen that the increase in punishment is an intangible guarantee for consumers, and it is also a continuous refinement of the recall of cars.

Mr. Wang, a clerk at a Shanghai auto 4S store, believes that the “Regulations” have brought considerable pressure on the sellers of imported cars because, according to the regulations, auto manufacturers should establish and keep records of owners’ information on the initial sale of auto products and auto products. The period of preservation shall not be less than 10 years. If you fail to keep records of the owners of information on automotive products in accordance with the regulations, you may receive a fine of up to 200,000 yuan.

It is reported that as a result of multiple appeals, the tires related to the vehicle's equipment at the time of delivery are also included in the manufacturer's recall. Because the tire is a very important accessory for the vehicle, it maintains the safety of the owner. In addition, the “Three Guarantees” of cars announced also “displayed the government’s determination to protect the steady and healthy development of car consumption” from another perspective.

Execution problems must break through the “responsibility of the enterprise, always for consumers. The system is only one aspect.” Fan Qiang, deputy director of the Complaints and Advice Department of the Shanghai Municipal Consumer Rights Protection Committee, stated that in the case of consumer complaints in recent years, the car Consumption has always occupied a large proportion. “How does the automobile society move toward safety and humanity?” has become a question worthy of consideration by the whole society.

According to the data released by the China Consumers Association recently, in 2011, the National Association for Consumers Association received a total of 16,805 complaints concerning automobiles, an increase of 19.2% year-on-year, and a new high of complaints. In all complaints of auto consumption, quality and safety issues accounted for 54.7%. “Almost covers all areas of automotive and parts quality, contract issues, and after-sales service issues. Not only that, complaints from joint venture brands and imported cars have increased.”

Fan Qiang said that although the complaint rate is so high, the efficiency of corporate complaint processing is extremely low, and companies with positive and good feedback occupy a very small proportion. The complaint process is cumbersome and repeated complaints often occur. In addition, many complaints are also reflected in consumer complaints, such as the lack of automobile testing organizations, high testing costs, long inspection times, and imperfect relevant standards. It also makes it difficult for consumers to grasp favorable rights protection evidence. Difficulties, difficulties in seeking compensation, difficulties in safeguarding rights, and many obstacles.

“As a modern person, the car has become an indispensable tool for travel, which means that you and I will stay longer in the car space.” From the view of a person in the Automotive College of Tongji University, the future is about to become the world's first The automobile kingdom of China will surely usher in the era of all cars in the entire city, and the soaring of the number of automobiles will surely exert a huge test on the quality of automobiles. "This is an eternal contradiction, and the awareness of the consumer rights protection is becoming stronger and stronger. The demand for quality is bound to be even more demanding because safety will cover everything when it comes to travel.”

As a global car industry, the contradiction in reality is far more than this. How to perform? Who will supervise? Who is responsible for the separate third-party inspection agency? All of these have become an important reason why people think that the "Regulations" may have "difficulties in implementation." "Although the "Regulations" refer to car manufacturers, the regulatory issue has fallen on the shoulders of the government. The government will also assume the role of a referee and supervisor. We must know that this is not a good job." Industrial Economics, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics Wu Hao, a graduate student, believes that the facts will prove that these laws and policies related to automobile consumption are an important cornerstone for China's construction of a large automobile society and that it is necessary to lay a solid foundation in order to promote the humanization of the automobile society.

Let the company return to the origin of quality Zhong Shi, an expert in the automotive industry, said that we must slowly learn to return to the origin of quality. It cannot be denied that the indifference to the automobile problem may bring huge and painful costs to the auto companies in the future. This "Regulations" for the public to solicit opinions means that this legally valid document will soon become a clear guide for car recalls, but on the other hand it is also reminding car manufacturers that priority should be given to quality rather than post-completion.

“Although almost all manufactured vehicles have large or small quality problems, this cannot be a reason to relax quality supervision.” Many experts believe that the forthcoming “Regulations” may bring an overall picture to the future automotive market. Impact. One of the important influences is that the auto companies began to shift their energy to after-sales service. Because companies cannot accept complaints in accordance with current regulations or recall vehicles in a timely manner, the blow to the reputation and brand of the entire company is huge. Therefore, any manufacturer must be vigilant to any possible problems, and take timely and effective recall methods and standardized recall process.

However, our company is also in it. “This invisible challenge is enormous and tests the conscience of a company, but if it can be properly handled, it will be a new realm for the shaping of the value of the company.” Wu Hao believes that through a strict recall system, It can be a good opportunity to standardize recall procedures and establish a brand for Chinese auto companies.

The facts tell us that even Japan, which is extremely harsh on details, still faces the challenge of the global car owners, because we still remember the tears that fell when Akio Toyoda faced the public. This also allows us to have a deeper understanding of the car recall. It is understood that last year, China implemented a total of 85 recalls of defective vehicles and recalled 1,827,500 defective vehicles, an increase of 55% year-on-year. It will be worth looking forward to how this number will change in the future.

In the car industry, we need to remind ourselves that we must always remind ourselves that in the face of automobiles, the recall system is only the downstream. To truly solve the problem, we must also follow the mature experience of foreign countries and gradually go to the source. This source is quality. Because the quality is maintained at both ends, one is the company's brand and conscience, and the other is the consumer's trust and security.

Related links Automobile recall system The automobile recall system is a vehicle that is put on the market. It is found that defects in design or manufacturing are not in compliance with the relevant laws and regulations, which may lead to safety and environmental problems. The manufacturer must promptly report the product to the relevant national authorities. Problems exist, causes of the problems, improvement measures, etc. A recall application is filed and the vehicles in use are refitted after approval to eliminate potential accidents. Manufacturers are also obliged to allow users to understand the situation in a timely manner, which is of great significance to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of consumers.

The recall of foreign cars in the United States and the United States has the longest history of recalls and the relevant management procedures are the most stringent. The United States began recalling defective cars as early as 1966. The competent authority was the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHT SA). The recalled models include cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles. Nearly all automobile manufacturers around the world have experienced recalls in the United States. Most of these recall cases were voluntarily recalled by manufacturers, but some were also recalled by NHT SA because of the influence of NHT SA or NHT SA through the court. US law requires that if a car manufacturer finds a safety defect, it must notify the NHT SA and the owner, seller, and agent before making a free repair. NHT SA is responsible for supervising the manufacturer's repair measures and recall process to ensure that the restored vehicle can meet the statutory requirements.

French France has formed a relatively mature management system for the recall of defective vehicles. In France, the recall of automobiles is part of the recall of various commodities, and its legal basis is the L221-5 clause of the French Consumer Law. This provision authorizes government agencies to issue product recall orders for products that may cause direct and serious harm to consumers.

In practice, the government seldom conducts mandatory product recalls by issuing decrees, but encourages manufacturers to conduct product recalls on their own. Only when the commodity in question poses a serious threat to the consumer, or if the manufacturer does not give due attention to the existing safety issues, it will force the manufacturer to implement a recall through legal means.

As the competent authority, the General Administration of Fair Trade, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Supervision of France will fully cooperate and supervise when manufacturers decide to recall their products. However, French car manufacturers did not notify the authorities of their obligations when deciding to take a recall action, because there is no such provision in the relevant regulations. The General Directorate for Fair Trade, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Supervision often finds out about car recalls through professional magazines or related websites.

Some manufacturers even have a practice called "silent recall": when a vehicle owner sends a vehicle to a specialized shop for routine maintenance or repair, the specialist shop conducts necessary inspection and treatment of the vehicle according to the manufacturer's requirements and eliminates it. Related security risks. Local experts have repeatedly questioned the company's practice of recalling vehicles without having to notify the competent authorities. They strongly oppose the so-called “silent recall”. They believe that manufacturers can't completely eliminate safety hazards through “silent recall” because many car owners often don’t repair and maintain specialized shops, and many problem vehicles cannot be resolved as they should.

Therefore, despite the absence of relevant regulations in the law, the coordination between automobile manufacturers and the competent authorities is constantly being strengthened, and the antagonistic relationship between the two parties is also changing. Many manufacturers also recognize that they have been able to get a lot of help by strengthening the relationship with the competent authorities; and the authorities in recent years are trying to change their image and strive to be interlocutors who can provide expertise when manufacturers deal with security issues.