Vauxhall first knew about Zafira models bursting into flames in 2009 | Daily Mail Online

Vauxhall first knew about Zafira models bursting into flames in 2009 | Daily Mail Online



Car makers spend loads of money long before the first car rolls off the line. They carry out market research, have designers draw, have gurus pick paint colours, remodel factories so that bits reach shells at the right time to be assembled and on and on.

Not as bad as Zafiras bursting into flames but I remember, while working in Chrysler Linwood,there were problems with the Avenger,which was to replace the Hillman Imp. The car was the fist with concealed door handles which were pushed up and down after unlocking. In many cases, the push bit just fell out !!

I was involved in another whopper. A particular cutting piece, which made the reverse gear for the cars,was out of stock in our stores. I was tasked with getting some back up supplies. I managed to get a couple from plants in England but just not enough. Faxes to America produced nothing and inevitably we ran out.

So Chrysler just sent the cars out to showrooms with no reverse gear !!! They got their money for the units,instead of parking them up and there was a steady stream of new car owners who had no reverse.

Chrysler just sent out the reverse gear to the suppliers and their mechanics fitted the gear which required the gear box to come out of the cars.Chrysler paid the suppliers for the work to be done.

Many models of cars have their own problems solely related to them.Another Chrysler,the 180,was extremely comfortable and had an 1800cc engine. Unfortunately, the overhead cam kept coming loose and the valves,which it controlled,went out of time. This blew the engine in the wort cases as it did in one that I bought !!