Chinese media reports say that Shanghai Volkswagen has reportedly launched an investigation into tyres produced by Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ China plants after claims that sub-standard tyres may have been fitted to the China-made Passat.
Sumitomo acts as a sub-contractor to Dunlop in China.
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China National Radio quoted plant workers as saying Sumitomo Rubber’s Changshu plant in Jiangsu province used low grade materials between 2011 and 2012, involving 17-inch and 18-inch mid- and high-end tyres. The plant made tyres for Dunlop China, and more than 1,100 allegedly sub-standard products were made in a single day, on Aug 2, 2012, China Daily reported.
The Dunlop China plant is also probing the issue and will announce the outcome soon, according to a National Business Daily report.
The report said the deputy head of the plant denied the use of low grade materials, but a company memo showed a meeting had decided a check into the matter was necessary.
Toyota, Nissan and Honda are also among major Dunlop customers, China Daily reported.
