Asbestos parts in Chinese cars

Components made of asbestos have thrown a shadow over the import of budget-priced Chinese cars.

Despite assurances from the companies Great Wall and Chery, a local check has revealed that close to 25,000 cars, utes and SUVs are potentially affected by asbestos gaskets.

The presence of asbestos has raised a major safety concern for bargain-basement brands that sell primarily on price.

In China, production has been stopped while the companies source alternate components. The Australian importer, Ateco Automotive, is waiting for a ruling by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission over a potential recall.

Ateco says its own investigation points to a relatively minor safety risk, mostly at the time of repairs or servicing at a dealership, but it refuses to comment on the chance of a safety recall. "We cannot speculate on a recall. Until we can get the ACCC's ruling, we really don't know," says Daniel Cotterill, the spokesman for Chery and Great Wall.

The majority of the vehicles involved in the asbestos scare were produced by Great Wall, which was the first Chinese brand in Australia with sales from 2009. Chery followed in 2010. "It's both Great Wall and Chery. It's mostly Great Wall, with 21,500 vehicles affected, and Chery with 2250," says Cotterill.

There has been a global crackdown on asbestos in the motor industry since the days when it was commonly used in a range of parts, but most obviously in brakes. More than 6,000 Chinese-made vehicles sold here last month. Previously, Chinese vehicles have been heavily criticised for sub-standard quality and safety.