Taxi Driver Online

1840 hrs 26 Sep 2008.

Got this 40 mins old. Looks like a massive recall.

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September 26, 2008

UPDATE ON TX4 UNDER BONNET FIRES

LTI have been carrying out a full and thorough investigation into the cause of the twelve under bonnet fires that have occurred over the last few months. LTI have employed independent fire investigators, the leading engineering company Ricardo and VM Motori, the manufacturer of the TX4 engine to assist them in the examination into the cause of the under bonnet fires.

LTI have identified a range of solutions designed to stop the type of under bonnet fire that has been experienced in the twelve early TX4s occurring.

The PCO and Licensing Authorities have been kept informed during the process of investigation and rectification. PCO officials are reviewing the results and considering the rework programme that LTI has proposed to enable drivers to begin using their TX4s that were affected by the suspension of their licenses.

LTI will carry out the following actions:

Replace the Exhaust Gas Recirculation pipe
Fit a thermal sleeve to the Exhaust Gas Recirculation pipe
Install a heat shield over the Exhaust Gas Recirculation pipe
Replace the bulkhead Noise Vibration and Harshness pad with one of a new design and material
Thoroughly inspect all pipe runs and wiring for evidence of unusual wear and replace as necessary
To rebuild driver confidence in the TX4, LTI will also fit a fire suppression system.

LTI have employed the services of Sigma who are a specialist rework company in the automotive industry and very experienced in carrying out corrective action programmes. Sigma will initially be based at Mann & Overton London on a day and night shift and will utilise thirty ramps and sixty technicians to initially rework approximately 50 vehicles per 24 hour period.

Drivers will be contacted by LTI in ascending VIN number order and will be requested to leave their vehicle at Mann & Overton for the day or night for the work to be carried out. It is important that drivers adhere to the booking system to avoid similar scenes at Mann & Overton when drivers tried to queue jump the inspection process. Only by following the designated process can LTI be assured that they have correctly reworked all the affected vehicles in the fastest possible time.

Once this rework process has begun in London it will immediately be extended to the regions to rework the vehicles outside of London as well.

LTI apologise again for the inconvenience caused and will work to ensure that the rework programme can be carried out in the shortest possible time.

ENDS

News release issued on behalf of LTI Vehicles by Connect PR. For further information call Lee Southen on 01902 714957 or email lee@connect-group.com.

I would imagine that will cost a bob or two.

But does that imply that they don't really know what causes the fires?

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IDFIMH

Owners should reflect on whether they are happy to have their vehicle repaired or exercise their rights under consumer legislation for an alternative remody.

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

That will be plan A they are clutching at straws Sussex, but now we have an email we can all send one in telling the LTI press office to stick the cabs right up there @@@@

RNS Number : 4877E
Manganese Bronze Hldgs PLC
26 September 2008

26 September 2008

Manganese Bronze Holdings PLC ("Manganese Bronze")

Product recall

LTI, a wholly owned subsidiary of Manganese Bronze PLC, has been carrying out a full and thorough investigation into the root cause of the twelve under bonnet fires that have occurred over the last few months in early production models of the TX4 taxi. LTI is employing independent fire investigators and the leading engineering company Ricardo to assist in the examination of this problem. VM Motori, the manufacturer of the TX4 engine, is also involved in the process.

LTI has now identified a range of solutions designed to prevent such occurrences and has today announced a product recall. The product actions include modifications to the emission control equipment, the heat management system and under bonnet insulation.

Having met today to review this issue, the board of Manganese Bronze expects the costs of the recall to be approximately £4m, and that this will be expensed in the current financial period to 31 December 2008. Manganese Bronze is already in discussions with its insurers and relevant suppliers to establish liability and opportunities for recovery of some of these costs.

When legal liability has been determined there may be additional costs for driver compensation for the period the vehicles are off the road.

Further updates will be made in due course.

For further information:

Manganese Bronze Holdings PLC

John Russell, Group Chief Executive
02476 572108

Mark Fryer, Group Finance and Business Development Director
02476 572223

Financial Dynamics

Jon Simmons
020 7831 3113

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

Would it be unfair to suggest that they HAVE NOT FOUND the problem but have designed ways of suppressing or mitigating it.
Another good innovation would be passenger door locking being off in the absence of current, but with a key operated lock for security when unattended. This would cost, but would inspire confidence in the travelling public.
Just an idea, so don't give me too much grief!

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

That is one school of thought.

Maybe LTI are interested in one thing only, and that's getting the PCO to back down.

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IDFIMH

Will the recall only cover VIN 200000 to 201000 or are all TX4s to date to have the work and with these modifications integral in all future vehicles? The statement could have been clearer.
If I owned 201001 I would want it done!

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

Simple question:

If they know the cause, why not tell us?

Like others here I suspect they do not know and I believe this is an exercise in damage limitation.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

I'd imagine it's them all, nothings changed between 56 and 08 versions.

Not sure i look forwards to getting the "fire supression system" serviced at overhaul time

Do you think if i ask nicely they will just give me my money back ?

Well now, we not only have email addresses but Phone numbers as well, so give them a call and ask them in fact demand it

If you buy a product from a shop, and a guarantee is given by the manufacturer , and that product becomes faulty or is recalled you are entitled to a full refund of the purchase cost.
This also applies to any vehicle

I am not sure if this applies to product recalls. It is supposed to apply to faulty products but once you allow the manufacturer to make ANY repairs, I think you loose the right to a refund.

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Grandad,

Who are the best people to advise on this? Is it the Office of Fair Trading?