Glen
07-22-2005, 05:59 PM
COPENHAGEN -- French automaker Peugeot on Tuesday widened a recall of cars in the Nordic countries to nearly 60,000 of its 307 models. Peugeot last week recalled 28,000 cars in Norway, Denmark and Sweden after it found a short-circuit had caused at least nine 307s to burst into flames.
The problem was found in models made from 2001 through 2003. But Peugeot widened the recall Tuesday in Norway and Denmark to include all 307 models in an attempt to restore consumer confidence.
That means owners of 15,000 more vehicles in Denmark and 9,000 in Norway were asked to bring their cars to Peugeot dealers for a checkup.
Another 5,000 would be recalled in Finland.
Jens Andersen, a spokesman for Peugeot in Denmark, said the additional recalls were meant to calm 307 owners and "to get a complete overview of the problem."
Some ferry companies and parking garages have demanded proof from Peugeot 307 owners that their cars are safe, said Maria Lantz, a company spokeswoman in Sweden.
Peugeot said last week that corrosion was found on cables surrounding the power steering pump on the burnt cars, likely caused by the region's cold and humid weather and road salt.
Andersen said no similar incidents had been reported outside the Nordic region.
In 2003, Citroen, which like Peugeot is part of the PSA group, recalled thousands of cars across Europe to check for a glitch in the antilock brake systems that could spark a fire under the hood.
Andersen said the Peugeot and Citroen incidents were not related.
The problem was found in models made from 2001 through 2003. But Peugeot widened the recall Tuesday in Norway and Denmark to include all 307 models in an attempt to restore consumer confidence.
That means owners of 15,000 more vehicles in Denmark and 9,000 in Norway were asked to bring their cars to Peugeot dealers for a checkup.
Another 5,000 would be recalled in Finland.
Jens Andersen, a spokesman for Peugeot in Denmark, said the additional recalls were meant to calm 307 owners and "to get a complete overview of the problem."
Some ferry companies and parking garages have demanded proof from Peugeot 307 owners that their cars are safe, said Maria Lantz, a company spokeswoman in Sweden.
Peugeot said last week that corrosion was found on cables surrounding the power steering pump on the burnt cars, likely caused by the region's cold and humid weather and road salt.
Andersen said no similar incidents had been reported outside the Nordic region.
In 2003, Citroen, which like Peugeot is part of the PSA group, recalled thousands of cars across Europe to check for a glitch in the antilock brake systems that could spark a fire under the hood.
Andersen said the Peugeot and Citroen incidents were not related.