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On the day it was named as Australia's top-selling car brand in 2007, Holden has recalled its current model V6 Commodores and Statesmans - including 5000 in New Zealand - because of a potential fuel leak that could cause fires.
The recall affects all 86,000 V6 VE Commodores and WM Statesman and Caprice long-wheelbase models built by the company since the new-generation model was launched in mid-2006 after a A$1 billion ($1.14 billion) development programme.
About 53,000 Commodores and Statesmans have been sold in Australia, about 5000 in New Zealand, 27,000 in the Middle East and 784 in Brazil.
Holden spokesman John Lindsay said the recall was a precaution to prevent a potential fuel leak under the bonnet.
"We've got a condition where one of the fuel lines in the engine compartment has the potential to rub against a clip on an adjacent hose, so over a period of time this could potentially - and I emphasise potentially - result in a leak in the hose and a fuel smell may become evident," Mr Lindsay said.
"The chances of this happening are very low but obviously we are erring on the side of caution and we are administering a recall of all [V6] VE and WM Commodores since the start of production ... "
The fuel leak problem had affected about 20 of the 86,000 cars in the recall, Mr Lindsay said.
But the lucrative export of Holden's Pontiac G8 version of the car has not been affected because the US models use a different layout under the bonnet.
Holden will today launch a national advertising campaign to advise owners of the recall.
The company will also write to owners individually.
They will be asked to contact their Holden dealer's service department or Holden's recall advice line to arrange for a simple repair to reroute the affected fuel line.
- AAP
