CHINA’S Qingdao Sifang Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company has said it is “deeply hurt” after emerged that it was forced to recall 26 of the 35 subway trains it sold to Singapore because of defects.
The train manufacturer insisted in a statement Wednesday that the trains are safe, but is recalling them for repairs “owing to its sense of responsibility to its clients and its products”.
SEE ALSO: Proposed China rail expansions to stretch throughout Asia
“CRRC Sifang found some defects in car bodies during routine maintenance checks in Singapore in June 2013. It then recalled 26 of them to the factory for repairs. The problem was caused by a defective aluminum alloy. After thorough analysis, the problem was found not to pose a risk to safety,” it said in a statement.
“The company has also analysed the issues and rectified the procedures, and conducted a thorough examination of our internal operations and quality control,” it added.
The locomotive powerhouse reportedly produces half of all high-speed train carriages produced in China, and has exported more than 30,000 rail transportation products to over 20 countries.
Singapore’s transportation authority said earlier this week that it sent back the trains because cracks had appeared where the cars attach to the “bogie” or undercarriage.
SEE ALSO: Thailand’s junta revives multi-billion dollar high speed rail plan
Hong Kong-based investigative news portal FactWire reported that the defects and recalls were kept secret in China and Singapore.
“A source from the mainland railway industry told FactWire that Singapore’s subway operator SMRT Trains Ltd (SMRT) was secretly shipping defective trains back to mainland China for replacement and repair,” it reported.
The company has won massive deals worldwide, including in Boston and Chicago, because of its low prices.
The post Chinese company ‘deeply hurt’ after Singapore subway train recall revelations appeared first on Asian Correspondent.
