Recall: Alpha International Recalls Pedal Cars

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 20, 2002 Release # 02-104

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 368-6367 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming, (301) 504-7063

CPSC, Alpha International Announce Recall of Pedal Cars

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC), Alpha International Inc., also known as Gearbox Pedal Car Company, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is voluntarily recalling about 75,000 pedal cars. The paint coating on some of these pedal cars contains high lead levels. CPSC standards ban toys and other children's products containing high levels of lead. Young children could ingest the lead from the car's paint coating, presenting a lead poisoning hazard.

Alpha International has not received any reports of injuries involving these pedal cars. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

There are 17 models of the pedal cars included in the recall. Models include three fire trucks, four police cars, eight sedans, one yellow taxi, and one dump truck. Model names are listed below:

Fire Trucks: "Fire Truck," "John Deere" and "Texaco."
Police Cars: "NYPD," "Chicago Police," "Highway Patrol" and "EMERGENCY 911."
Sedans: pink "Champion," blue "Champion," "Texaco," "John Deere," "Citgo," "Raley's Coca-Cola," "Raley's Keebler," and "Red Lion."

All of the pedal cars are made of metal and come in a variety of colors. Most of the cars have a "Gearbox" logo on the seat back, the hubcaps, and/or the pedals. The pedal cars were manufactured in Korea.

The two "Raley's" cars were sold exclusively at Raley's supermarkets from July 2000 through December 2000. Department, toy, and specialty/collectible stores sold all of the other pedal cars from November 1999 through January 2002 for between $100 and $500.

Consumers should take these pedal cars away from young children immediately. Consumers can contact Alpha International at (800) 368-6367 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday to receive a replacement car or return the products to the place where purchased to receive a full refund.