Foton Tunland :: Chinese utes recalled over safety compliance issues

Ateco Automotive has recalled 318 Tunland utes sold by previous distributor FAA since 2012 after finding their jacks did not comply with the Australian Design Rule requirements for vehicle jacks.

The official recall notice published on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s website explains the jacks could create a crushing hazard if used incorrectly.

Ateco spokesman Daniel Cotterill told CarAdvice Foton dealers would replace the jacks with compliant ones, adding that the weight rating of the new jacks is double the existing ones at four tonnes.

Cotterill also revealed Ateco would soon announce a second recall for all Tunland dual-cabs as their ISOFIX child seat anchorage system likewise fails to meet ADR requirements.

He said there was nothing wrong with the ISOFIX points themselves, though said the ute’s lack of top tether points, which are required by Australian standards, meant changes needed to be made.

Two potential fixes are being considered, with the intention of making the Tunland’s ISOFIX system ADR compliant. Cotterill confirmed that until a fix was found, however, the ISOFIX holes would be plugged to prevent owners from using them.

Finally, both changes will need to be reflected in the vehicles’ owner’s manuals, requiring a replacement by dealers.

Ateco is on track to launch an overhauled Tunland range next month with a revised model line-up and “more competitive pricing”.

FAA offered five diesel manual Tunland models: two single-cab-chassis variants and three dual-cab pick-ups, priced between $24,990 and $35,000.