China Complains About Bad Air - In German Cars

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

Chinese state TV claims that the air in German cars is dangerous to people’s health. In a report, the station said that insulating materials used in cars made by Audi, BMW and Daimler create noxious odors, Der Spiegel reports.

Not true, say Audi, BMW and Daimler, and that their plastics meet international standards.

Commenters of the Spiegel story were quick to blame user error: “Instead of filtered recirculation, the complaining Chinese probably switched to external air. In China, this can quickly lead to a very bad smell inside of the car.”

Carmakers don’t think it’s funny and do not take these accusations lightly. Two week ago, the station said Volkswagen had used faulty transmissions. Volkswagen recalled 400,000 cars only days later.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Oelmotor Oelmotor on Mar 25, 2013

    What did the Germans do to annoy the Chinese Communist Party? Furthermore, everytime I sat in an air conditioned car in China, the air recirculation switch is on. I don`t know what was worse, breathing the nasty pollution or the stale air in the car.

  • Ron B. Ron B. on Mar 25, 2013

    What could smell worse than boiled cabbage and noodles mixed with strange looking rabbit? Yet again the chinese make some outrageous comment to in attempt to destroy a reputation . What they will never seem to realize is the the rest of the world is the source of their new found wealth. I am waiting for the day when they call in the loans to western countries. Countries such as Greece and Portugal where they compete with the germans to lend money......

  • Epc Epc on Mar 25, 2013

    What the Chinese auto press is reporting is this: These assembled-in-China German cars are found to be using damping sheets made from asphalt-type of material. Chinese press is claiming that in cars bound for EU / North America, damping sheets are made from other material. But due to the lack of regulations in China, the Germans can and are getting away with using cheaper damping sheets made from asphalt, which gives off noxious fumes in the hot weather. I have no idea if any of the claims by the Chinese auto press is correct.

    • See 2 previous
    • Hummer Hummer on Mar 25, 2013

      @epc True, but when 98% of everything coming out of china is junk, why should they expect the rest of us to send quality goods to a "developing" country (I suppose that's it's current transition period) But nevertheless you make a valid point.

  • CJinSD CJinSD on Mar 25, 2013

    I don't know about Chinese editions of German junk, but I sat in a Genesis 2.0T coupe that was on display in a Hyundai showroom which was saturated with the worst stench this side of a plastic fire. I don't think I could have sat in it with the door closed.

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