Price wars have taken a toll on the quality of domestically-made cars with defects reported in 77 per cent during the first six months of use, according to the latest market survey.

The 2006 China Automobile Customer Satisfaction Index (CACSI) said major defects involve tires, air conditioning and braking systems, locks and steering wheels. For every 100 new cars, there was an average of 338 defects, much higher than last year's 246.

Meanwhile, the China Consumers' Association received 1,038 complaints in the first three quarters, up 21 per cent from last year. In the third quarter, the number was 44 per cent higher than the second.

It is said price cuts which have averaged about 10,000 yuan (US$1,250) annually in the past few years have forced producers to purchase lower-grade parts in an effort to lower costs. The defects are a result of carmakers constantly reducing prices and sacrificing quality.

Making matters worse is the shortened product launch cycle.With shorter research, development and testing periods, the new models will, of course, have more defects.

In the first 10 months, more than 3 million cars were sold, according to statistics from the China Automobile Industry Association. Last year there was an average of 3.4 cars per 100 families in China, an annualized increase of 45.9 per cent from 2003. However, many domestic consumers still go by price and appearance.

Source:佚名