Recent reports have raised alarms over the safety of Changan SUVs sold in Russia, particularly the Uni-T, Uni-K, and Uni-S models, which might soon be withdrawn from the market due to serious concerns about their seat design. This issue surfaces as sales of these models see unprecedented growth, with the Uni-T and Uni-K recording increases of 109% and 129% respectively for the year 2024.
According to Mash, the design flaw pertains to the structural integrity of the front seatbacks, which, during minor collisions, may lead to compression fractures of the spine for both drivers and passengers. This alarming possibility intensified scrutiny over these popular vehicles, which prominently feature within the top five best-selling SUVs among Russian consumers.
Anton Shaparin, the President of the National Automotive Union (NAU), elaborated on the situation: "The impact was minor, but the rear requires replacement, and the backs of the front seats turned to jelly." This highlights the urgency of the issue at hand, as it reveals the extent of deformation resulting from even slight impacts.
Shaparin noted the gap in the current vehicle safety checks which up until now have focused solely on the body, effectively ignoring the seatbacks. “The checks before market release only focus on the body, not on the seatbacks,” stated Shaparin. This lack of comprehensive evaluation could pose serious risks to consumers.
Concerned owners of affected vehicles have rallied, reaching out to the NAU for resolution. The union is now pursuing formal communication with the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology, requesting immediate investigations and evaluations of the seatbacks. The NAU aims to ascertain and address the safety issues before they potentially cost lives.
The surge in sales figures reflects the growing popularity of Chinese SUVs post-pandemic as Russian consumers turn to foreign brands. Despite this growth, there seems to be pressure on these market entrants from recent events and rising public safety awareness.
Interestingly, this isn't the first time Changan vehicles have faced challenges. Conversations have also emerged around the broader appeal of Chinese automobiles, with NAU’s Vice President, Yan Haitser, commenting on the dip in overall demand for these vehicles, partly accounting for the closure of numerous dealerships specializing solely in one brand.
Several incidents featuring the Changan Uni-S have pointed to its design flaws. One incident immortalized on social media depicts the devastating impact of accidents involving these models. This incident and subsequent discussions have instigated heightened awareness and concern among consumers.
If regulatory bodies validate the claims surrounding the hazardous design of the seatbacks, the repercussions for Changan could be significant, potentially leading to the recall of these models from the Russian market. This presents quite the scenario for the rising popularity of Changan vehicles, which benefitted from explosive sales growth up to this point.
For Changan, the focus will need to shift from merely boosting their market share to ensuring consumer safety. Amid growing scrutiny, they are at a crossroads where extensive transparency and proactive measures will be demanded from them to retain consumer trust.
The NAU continues to monitor the situation closely, ensuring consumer safety is prioritized. Meanwhile, owners urge action, fearful for their safety each time they hit the road.
The spotlight shines brightly on the effectiveness of vehicle safety regulations and the responsibilities of automotive manufacturers to uphold these standards. With consumer safety now at stake, the automotive industry, particularly for Changan, finds itself acting under the gravitational pull of public scrutiny.