Porsche recalls all Panamera cars

Frankfurt - German sports car maker Porsche said on Tuesday it was recalling all its 11 324 newly launched four-door Panamera cars due to possible seatbelt problems.

A spokesperson said the "precautionary" recall was because seatbelt mounts on the Panamera, launched in September 2009, could fail when the front seats are adjusted in an extreme forward position.

"There have not been any accidents," the spokesperson said.

The Panamera, which in Germany sells for between €75 899 and €135 154 for the Turbo, was launched as Porsche's newest model range alongside the Boxster, the Cayman, 911 and the Cayenne.

Porsche is targeting 20 000 Panamera sales a year and is counting on the car to boost growth and profits after the global recession sent the global luxury auto industry into reverse.

Volkswagen in December acquired a 49.9% stake in Porsche's sports car operations for €3.9bn as part of a complex merger expected to be finalised in 2011.

The recall is the latest blow to automakers after recent accelerator and brake problems tarnished the reputation of Japan's Toyota.

- AFP