Tavera recall results in shake-up at General Motors

July 27, 2013: Two days after announcing a decision to recall 114,000 Taveras, the biggest in India by General Motors, the company is learnt to have dismissed some of its officials in the US and India. According to media reports in the US, the most high-profile exit is that of Sam Winegarden, vice-president -- global powertrain engineering. Around 10 more officials are learnt to have been dismissed over the recall issue.

When contacted, a GM India (GMI) spokesperson refused to comment on the matter. "As per company policy, we do not comment on internal personnel matters," the official responded to an email query from Autocar Professional.

On July 25, GM India announced the recall of 114,000 units of the Chevrolet Tavera. The recall includes the utility vehicle’s BS III, 2.5-litre variant as well as the BS IV two-litre variant from model years 2005-2013. The recall is to address emissions and specification issues. The Tavera sells between 1,500 to 2,000 units every month, an overwhelming number being BSIII-compliant.

A surprise check by ARAI authorities in early July had found that BS III Tavera diesels rolling off the assembly lines were not meeting emission norms. The Tavera is produced at GM India’s Halol plant in Gujarat. GMI has informed Indian government authorities of an emissions issue involving the Tavera BS III model and an issue with the Tavera BS IV meeting certain specifications. Production and sale of the Tavera BS III was stopped on June 4 and that of the Tavera BS IV on July 2. The issues are not safety-related, the company has clarified.

GM India says it has identified a solution to the issues and performed the required engineering validation. It is awaiting regulatory approvals. After the proposed solution receives approval, Tavera production and sale is expected to resume by end of this month.

Prior to the Tavera recall, GM India had suspended production and sale of the diesel variant of its Sail saloon and Sail hatchback models.