GM Daewoo To Recall 163,977 Rezzos, Citing Engine Defect

SEOUL March 15, 2004; Seon-Jin Cha writing for Dow Jones reported that South Korea's Ministry of Construction & Transportation Tuesday said GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co. will voluntarily recall 163,977 units of its popular minivan model Rezzo due to an engine defect.

The auto maker will recall the liquefied petroleum gas run minivans, produced between December 17, 1999 and March 1, 2004, starting from April 1, the ministry said.

The ministry said the vehicle's engine could be damaged from improper firing timing.

Owners of the models can visit GM Daewoo service centers and get the firing timing adjusted or have parts replaced free of charge, the ministry said.

Last week, GM Daewoo's president and chief executive Nick Reily told reporters that his company was aware of the problems with the Rezzo model and they were taken care of.

GM Daewoo officials weren't immediately available for comment.

"We've been advising the company and it lately accepted our advice voluntarily," said an official at the ministry.

GM Daewoo, an affiliate of Detroit-based auto giant General Motors Corp. , is the country's third largest automaker, with about 9.8% of the domestic market.