Smart Belt breaks into a common disease test

Recently, the Mercedes-Benz Smart car has received a lot of complaints due to frequent engine belt breakages (for details, see "Fast Belt Breakage, Smart Suffering from 200 Vehicle Owners Complaints"). A further investigation by the “Reporter on Consumer Reports” found that this stylish Smart Fortwo has also experienced frequent belt breaks in foreign countries.

In response, Daimler stated that it will replace engine belts with quality problems on a global scale. This is dubbed by Chinese owners as "enhancing flicker belts." They believe that engine design flaws are the source of the problem. According to the reporter’s understanding, the AQSIQ has conducted relevant investigations on the contents of the complaints to collect evidence of the potential safety hazards of belt breakage. This is also the key to whether or not the recall can be initiated.

Belt breaks into a global problem

The reporter found that the problem of belt breakage in smart cars not only occurred in mainland China. At the Smart Club Forum in Hong Kong, owners have complained about the belt breakage since March this year. In addition, there are complaints and technical analysis of many smart car belt breaks in the automotive forums in the United Kingdom and some European countries.

In the UK, a car forum called SmartManiacs launched a related survey in August of this year. 40% of the owners of the car reported that their Smart car had a belt damage or broken accident. Although most car owners can enjoy free maintenance and replacement services, many respondents consider selling the car after the two-year warranty period because of concerns that the belt breakage will continue to occur.

According to the information collected by the reporter, the current problems with the belt damage or breakage of the engine are all concentrated in the Smart Fortwo 451 MHD model, which uses a miniature hybrid drive engine. Daimler Co., Ltd. customer service once explained to the reporter that the quality defects of some of the engine belts produced on the 451 platform are the main causes of belt damage and even breakage.

The reporter learned from Mercedes-Benz (China) Sales Co., Ltd. that this time the replacement of belts was carried out globally. All countries and regions that sell Smart Fortwo451 MHD models are provided with belt replacement services. However, there is no relevant free belt replacement activity worldwide.

AQSIQ investigation

In July this year, a number of smart car owners complained about the belt breakage at the AQSIQ defective product management center. Since August, the relevant staff of the Automobile Recall Management Department of the AQSIQ Defective Product Management Center has contacted the owner of the vehicle and collected information on the accident vehicle.

Guo Junhui, an engineer of the AQSIQ's Automobile Recall Management Department, told the Consumer Reporter that the information provided by the current owner to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine is mainly for bills for parts maintenance after belt breakage. Among them, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) places special emphasis on reports involving engine damage, as damage to the engine may cause serious safety incidents.

The recall of problem cars is a strong appeal of the majority of Smart owners. However, according to the relevant provisions of the "Defective Automobile Recall Management Regulations," the belt fracture itself does not meet the scope of the recall. According to an interviewee's analysis, "If there are indeed dangers related to personal safety, property safety, etc. in the case of multiple belt break accidents in the Smart Fortwo, the AQSIQ will consider recalling it."

Jia Xinguang, chief analyst of China Automotive Industry Consultation and Development Corporation, believes that the current “Defective Automobile Recall Management Regulations” has clearly defined the recall scope and penalty system, but the key lies in the implementation of the supervision department. Can the company actively urge enterprises to rectify after the problem occurs? .

From the Mercedes-Benz C-class vehicle rights protection activities at the beginning of the year to the numerous complaints about the breakage of the Smart Belt, Mercedes-Benz was controversial this year, and its arrogant attitude and tactics have also been criticized. Will the belt breakage accident prompt the AQSIQ to recall Smart?