AIA Warns: Thousands of Modern Cars Beyond Maintenance and Recall Reach, Consumers Suffer Most

Lebanon Today

Important Warning from “AIA” Regarding Vehicle Recall Campaigns

The Association of Importers of Vehicles in Lebanon – “AIA” emphasizes the danger of neglecting recall campaigns conducted by car manufacturers. These campaigns are not just a routine procedure, but a critical necessity to maintain consumer safety and ensure the quality of vehicles.

Many international companies, such as: “Ford,” “Tesla,” and “BYD,” periodically recall their new and modern vehicles to carry out necessary updates. For example, “BYD” recently recalled more than 115,000 vehicles due to potential defects in the batteries that could cause fires or malfunctions in the driving system.

It is worth noting that this campaign included vehicles sold in Lebanon through the authorized dealer, allowing their owners to benefit from factory updates, warranty, and direct follow-up.

In contrast, vehicles sold outside official channels are not subject to any updates or recalls, which exposes their owners to constant danger and reduces the value of their investments.

The association explains that Lebanon imports thousands of new vehicles annually from China through the parallel market, by importers who are not associated with the original factory, and therefore cannot provide a warranty or implement recalls.

Therefore, the “AIA” association warns the Lebanese consumer, saying: “You are in danger.” It confirms that every new vehicle needs periodic maintenance, continuous updates, and the possibility of a recall to address serious malfunctions, or even replacement under the factory warranty. It emphasizes that only the authorized dealer, directly linked to the factory, is able to secure the warranty and after-sales service.

The association also warns against the continued chaos of parallel imports, which threatens consumer safety and undermines public safety. It appeals to the state, especially the Ministry of Economy and Trade, to implement the law that lifted the prior exclusive protection on agencies, which obliges every new vehicle seller to secure the factory warranty, after-sales service, and inclusion of the vehicle in recall campaigns.

In conclusion, the “AIA” association calls on the Lebanese consumer to be aware of their rights and not to buy any new vehicle unless it is covered by the official factory warranty, included in recall campaigns, and subject to regular maintenance and monitoring. They also advise them to check the websites and social media of global car manufacturers to confirm recalls and the importance of updates made by manufacturers.