Truong Hai and Hyundai Thanh Cong, the Vietnamese manufacturers of Korea-based Hyundai and Kia, have just denied the risk of fire hazard in their vehicles circulating in Vietnam.

Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles going on sales in Vietnam may be using the GDI engine that caused the fire hazard

“Our vehicles in Vietnam do not pose fire hazard at all,” said the representatives.

Truong Hai’s representative clarified that the Theta II petrol engine has two types, one with Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) and the other with Multipoint Injection (MPI). The recall in the US affects vehicles using GDI, while vehicles in Vietnam all use MPI, which means they are safe.

Hyundai Thanh Cong’s representative said that Theta II engines in Vietnam are not listed among devices posing fire-risk. However, Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles using the GDI engine have just gone on sales in Vietnam. The representative did not comment on this issue, according to vnexpress.net.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in early April opened an investigation into about three million cars, including Kia Optima and Sorento vehicles manufactured in 2011-2014, Kia Soul vehicles manufactured in 2010-2015, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles manufactured in 2011-2014.

The investigation was opened due to the recommendation of the Centre for Auto Safety (CAS). Accordingly, the CAS has conducted a research on fire hazard at cars manufactured since 2007 and received reports of about 3,000 fires and 100 injuries related to the cars.

In addition to CAS’ recommendations, the NHTSA also collected information from other car makers, customer claims, and other sources. Since 2015, more than 2.3 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles have been recalled for potential fire hazard. This includes 570,000 Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles, and nearly 620,000 Optima, Sorento, and Sportage units. All vehicle models are running with the Theta II 2.4 petrol engine.

VIR