Two weeks after Chery Auto, China's largest domestic automobile manufacturer and exporter, recalled some 23,000 vehicle units from Australia due to findings of potential cancer-causing asbestos in some models, the company announced it is set to recall an additional 18,000 units from overseas, still due to the same reason.

In an emailed statement sent to news organizations on Wednesday, Chery Auto said a total of 18,875 vehicles, including Tiggo SUVs and A3 compact sedans, would be recalled from Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina and Singapore following a self-imposed inspection, in light of the inspection findings carried by the Australian authorities.

Jin Yibo, company spokesman, said the gaskets or exhaust systems installed in those vehicle models contained small amounts of asbestos, a known carcinogen, which violated regulations set in countries overseas. Asbestos is banned in 55 nations because of the fiber's links to cancer and respiratory illnesses.

Although asbestos does not pose any potential harm to the health of drivers or passengers of Chery Auto vehicles, the ones at risk are the maintenance personnel. This scenario had prompted countries such as Australia and Brazil to ban the substance from being incorporated in automobiles.

Following the Australian findings and recall, Chery Auto said the company has established an operation standard for overseas after-sales service points to replace all related parts.

Chery Auto, with 16 production bases around the world, exported a total of 159,000 vehicles in 2011, an 84.1 per cent jump from a year ago. The company's products have been exported to more than 80 countries and regions.