Hitachi joins the battery recall list

 

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By Simon Aughton

Posted on 6 Oct 2006 at 10:54

Hitachi has joined the growing list of computer makers that have recalled Sony-manufactured laptop batteries.

The company has announced that it will replace 16,000 batteries installed in Flora 210W and Flora Se210 portables. Apple, Dell, Fujitsu, IBM, Lenovo and Toshiba have already begun recalls, while Acer is investigating whether it needs to join them.

So far, recalls have been restricted to laptop batteries, but according to ConsumerReports.org, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) believes Sony may also recall batteries deployed in consumer electronics devices as part of its global replacement programme.

'The upcoming Sony recall could very well expand beyond notebook computers and could include DVD players and portable gaming devices,' CPSC spokesperson Julie Vallese told the website, which adds that the Wall Street Journal has reported almost as many fires related to portable DVD players as for laptop computers. The CPSC is currently verifying these reports.