The worldwide recall of Korean built 64kWh Kona electric vehicles has extended into Australasia, with Hyundai New Zealand issuing a notice of recalls for the around 700 Kona electric cars that are circulating in the country.
The recall in New Zealand (see below) may be followed by a recall in Australia, with the local Hyundai company telling The Driven: “We are currently awaiting confirmation from our parent company regarding this potential recall and the procedures that may be involved.”
The manufacturers of Australia’s second-highest selling electric vehicle, the Hyundai Kona, issued a recall for the car in the company’s home country of South Korea, as well as in the US, a fortnight ago after a spate of battery fires.
Reports from Reuters said the recall was made to investigate a possible short circuit due to what may be faulty manufacturing of its high-voltage battery cells that could pose a fire risk.
This is the recall issued by Hyundai New Zealand.
There are approximately 700 NZ Kona electrics caught up in their recall, while there is an estimated 342 Kona electrics on the road in Australia.
Hyundai Australia last week sent an email to one Kona owner advising them to avoid fire risk situations, such as parking in the garage. See: Don’t park in the garage: Hyundai Australia warns Kona Electric owner of fire risk.
But this was folowed up by a correction saying the instruction had been inadvertently copied from a US website. We will keep readers informed if there are any further developments.