DESPITE a widening global recall due to an asbestos scare, there would be no recall of Chery cars in South Africa, the company confirmed last week.

Chery has announced recalls in six countries after traces of asbestos were found in certain components in cars exported to Australia — specifically in its small Tiggo SUV.

According to Brett Soso, MD of Chery SA, the company had yet to establish whether any cars were affected in this country.

"We battled to find someone locally who could do the tests for us. But we’ve found somebody in Cape Town and they’re working on it now."

Mr Soso said the component in question was an exhaust gasket that an owner would never interact with, adding that if asbestos was found to be present in the gasket, then the part would be changed "as a part of a normal service".

"We already have the replacement parts," he added.

If asbestos was found, he said, the company’s main concern would be for its technicians, who would need to take precautions when handling the part.

A Chery spokesman in Hong Kong confirmed last week that nearly 19,000 Chery cars were being recalled in Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina and Singapore as a result of the presence of asbestos.

Chinese exports of vehicles to developing markets have risen exponentially recently. Last year, Chery exported 160,200 vehicles, 73% more than in 2010, according to Bloomberg.