Bangkok Post file photo
Thailand's consumer watchdog has approved the filing of a civil lawsuit against the local unit of Volvo Cars and its repair and maintenance unit, Scandinavian Auto Co Ltd, over battery-related fires in its EX30 model, Pradoemchai Bunchualuai, an adviser to the minister who chairs the watchdog, said on Friday.The legal move comes after a meeting in Bangkok last month between Volvo Cars, the consumer protection board and customers failed to reach an agreement.
The Office of the Consumer Protection Board will act as a plaintiff for 550 complaints and will file each suit individually, Mr Pradoemchai said.
Next week the office will send the first case, which is seeking 1.2 million baht (US$36,750) in damages, to the public prosecutor, he added.
The Thai unit of Volvo Cars did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. Volvo Cars declined to comment. The news agency reported in February that Volvo would recall more than 40,000 EX30s globally and replace battery modules due to a defect that could cause packs to overheat and potentially catch fire.
