BYD apologizes for wheel assembly error on Great Tang electric SUV
The automaker says affected owners will receive free replacement rims and transport support during repairs, along with a restarted warranty.
BYD has acknowledged that some of its newly released Great Tang electric SUVs were fitted with front and rear wheel rims in the wrong positions. The Chinese automaker apologized and promised free replacements, but did not disclose how many vehicles were affected.
Bloomberg reported that several owners complained after finding wider rims intended for the rear mounted at the front, with the narrower front rims fitted at the rear.
In a post on Weibo, BYD said its investigation traced the mistake to a wheel mesh assembly supplier based in Hubei. The company said the problem had been corrected and that the supplier had introduced a visual check on its production line to prevent further errors.
BYD said the incorrect installation posed no safety risk. During repairs, affected owners will be offered either a replacement vehicle or compensation for transportation costs. Their vehicles' warranty periods will also restart, the company said.
The SUV, known in China as Datang, was unveiled in March at a starting price of around $40,000. It received 150,000 orders in China. BYD also plans to introduce the vehicle in other Asian markets and in Europe.
