China says Hyundai, Kia to recall 70,800 cars

South Korea's Hyundai Motor and its affiliate, Kia Motors will recall 70,795 cars made at their China plants to fix faulty tires made by Kumho Tire, China's top quality watchdog said.

The recall, effective Friday, will cover 63,588 Hyundai cars made at its venture in Beijing from June 4, 2008 to January 13, 2011 and 7,208 Kia models made in China, China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said in a statement posted on its website.

China's Great Wall Motor also will recall 4,685 cars that were equipped with Kumho tires, it said.

Kumho, the largest tire maker in China, used excessive amounts of recycled tires as raw materials at its plant in the municipality of Tianjin, according to the government, which said could cause tires to rupture more easily, according to the government.

Last month, the Chinese government suspended a license required for the Tianjin plant to sell tires.