ABU DHABI // Almost all of the UAE's 3,500 Hummer H3 vehicles will have to be recalled after the manufacturer issued a safety warning over a faulty bonnet catch.
General Motors announced yesterday that it would be contacting owners in the coming days to ask them to return their vehicles for repair.
Since Hummer launched here in 2006, the UAE has become one of its largest markets in the Middle East. The H3 is the most popular model.
The recall affects 198,404 cars worldwide and concerns a catch on the bonnet, known as a louvre, which can become loose and break off while driving.
GM gave warning that the part could strike another vehicle if it came off while moving.
"The recall will affect around 3,500 vehicles in the UAE," said Fuad Hammad, GM's UAE spokesman. He said the recall affected 2006 to 2010 models of the H3 and 2009 to 2010 models of the H3T. No other Hummers are affected.
"We have received a list of the affected cars and we are going to be in contact with the owners," Mr Hammad said. "We have had no reports yet of any problems. The recall is a precautionary measure.
"We will ask owners of affected models to bring their cars to their dealerships and we will fix their cars."
Mr Hammad said the repair was not significant. It was expected to take under an hour to fix. The company said it would place adverts in local newspapers alerting owners. Anyone with concerns should contact the GM customer care hotline on 04 429 0352.
The louvre is a panel on the bonnet that allows air to enter the engine compartment, preventing overheating. It helped to cool the engine on older Hummer models but is decorative on the H3.
In recall documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the US, where GM is based, the company said the tabs holding the louvre could fracture, causing it to rattle against the bonnet and become loose.
Muhammed Imran, 29, from Pakistan, bought his yellow 2008 Hummer H3 one year ago and said he had experienced no problems.
"I have not heard about the recall until now. It doesn't sound like a big problem. When they contact me I will take it to the garage," he said.
"It is an inconvenience, but it does not worry me."
Harry Oughourlian, 37, from Lebanon and living in Dubai, where he works as a used-car salesman, said he had seven Hummers in stock but only one was an H3.
"These days there always seems to be something wrong with cars. They are always being recalled over something," said Mr Oughourlian.
"I think each manufacturer is always trying to highlight flaws with their competition's cars.
"I don't think most people here will even bother taking it along for the recall."
Harith Bukhash, 21, an Emirati student at the American University Dubai, said he was selling his gold- coloured 2009 H3.
He was shocked to learn of the fault, but said he was not concerned at the recall.
"It is more of a hassle than anything else. I will have to take time off university to get it fixed," he said.
"If there are a lot of cars involved, then I suppose there is a chance there could be a bit of a rush to get them fixed.
"No one wants to drive around in a car which is not safe."
The recall followed two complaints about the problem in the US and three in Japan, Mr Hammad said.
GM is shutting down Hummer production following a failed attempt this year to sell the brand to a Chinese buyer.
chamilton@thenational.ae
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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Marin Cilic 1 (1 US Open)
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
