Models pose beside a new Mercedes-Benz CLS during the 32nd Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, March 24, 2011. (Photo : REUTERS)
Beginning March 13, Mercedes-Benz will recall 127,071 of its CLS-Class and E-Class cars which were found to have loose sealing strip for the engine cabin that could engine fire.
A fire could occur if the sealing strips fall on hot engine parts, according to the announcement made by China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.
Mercedes-Benz China and Beijing Benz will check these cars and replace defective parts free of charge. The affected vehicles were manufactured by the Beijing Benz Automotive Co. Ltd. between 2012 and 2014.
The carmaker will also recall 705 of its four-wheel drive G-Class luxury sport utility vehicles beginning March 9 due to a steering problem. The said model has been described as "undermined by vague steering."
Mercedes-Benz posted its strongest sales month in its history in Sept. 2014 buoyed by demand in China.
Total Mercedes-Benz brand sales for the first nine months of 2014 were up 11 percent to 1.26 million vehicles as they sold more cars in China than in its home market in Germany.
Mercedes-Benz sold 217,210 cars in China during the January-September period, up by almost 30 percent from a year ago. Growth in sales were mainly driven by their compact cars and the S-class, which were not among those subject to the recalls.
However, Audi and BMW AG still lead Mercedes-Benz in the Chinese market as of late last year. In the same January-September period, Audi sold 415,704, outselling Mercedes-Benz by nearly two to one.
