Honda Vietnam cars escape global recall

Honda Vietnam-produced Civic sedans are not subject to a global recall of many thousands of vehicles the Japanese firm announced in early March.

Honda is to recall about 52,000 of its Civic hybrid vehicles globally on concerns over problem in a voltage converter relaying power from the motor assist system to the vehicle’s electrical components could fail and cause headlight outages and engine stalls.

Subject to the recall are model year 2006-2007 Civic hybrid vehicles which have been sold in the United States, Japan and other countries. Notices will be sent to clients from March 18 and the problem will be fixed free of charge.

Honda Vietnam was assembling Civic sedans, but not a hybrid model, in the country, according to the Japanese invested firm.

The company is also importing other vehicles into Vietnam mostly from Thailand, the manufacturing hub of Honda which supplies for the majority of Asian and Oceania markets.

It has not yet received any notices from Japanese headquarters of any cases in the Vietnamese market so far.

Honda Vietnam experienced a 20 per cent month-on-month fall in sales in February to 371 units from 465 units in January.