A spokesperson with China's top quality watchdog said Saturday Kumho Tires of the Republic of Korea would recall more than 300,000 substandard tires in China beginning April 15.
Li Yuanping, a spokesperson with the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), said Kumho China, one of the largest tire manufacturers in China, had used excessive amounts of recycled tires as raw material in manufacturing tires, which reduced tire quality and could increase safety risks.
Li said the recalled tires were made between 2008 and 2011, and that Kumho Tires China subsidiary would replace the recalled tires for free.
AQSIQ had met representatives from the company twice since March 28, and asked the company to make a recall plan in order to ensure the life and property security of consumers in China, Li said.
The company also promised to offer free checks on sedan tires it produced since March 2008 in China for a half-year period, and change faulty tires without charge according to the company's regulations.
China's state-owned television CCTV reported in mid-March that the substandard tires could rupture. Lee Han-seop, head of Kumho's China subsidiary, publicly apologized to Chinese consumers on a CCTV program on March 21.
Li Yuanping said the AQSIQ has ordered the local quality control bureau in Tianjin Municipality to beef up inspection on the recall, and see that the recall is properly and fully implemented.
