Chery J1 recalled

A POOR crash test result for the Chery J1 in Australia has quickly prompted a recall to fix a defect in the front seats – and raised the prospect of the little Chinese car earning a fourth star in the future.

ANCAP gave the J1 three stars after testing in May, citing among the reasons a loss of structural integrity that would “result in considerable injury risk”.

As a result, Chery distributor Ateco Automotive today recalled the 702 cars in Australia to replace the front seat backrests, which can collapse in a crash.

“After the ANCAP crash treating there was an amount of dissatisfaction with the three star result,” Chery spokesman Daniel Cotterill says.

“Chery has looked at the design of seat components, and we’re bringing in complete backrests that incorporate an enhanced design.”

Cotterill says that the J1 could now earn a better crash rating.

“Yes. We actually do think that it would now get another star,” Cotterill says. “But there is no further testing planned at the moment. ANCAP is an independent body and has their own schedule for testing.”

Ateco is contacting all customers and advising them to return their cars to dealerships for the backrest assemblies to be replaced and the seats refitted using new mounting bolts.