BERLIN, Sep 24 (Reuters) - The operator of Germany's new truck road toll system said on Wednesday it had recalled thousands of tracking units shortly before tests of the satellite-based system were due to start.
About 20,000 of the 175,000 units installed so far in trucks to track their usage of German highways were not working properly and would have to be repaired or replaced, said a spokesman for the operator, Toll Collect.
"This does not jeopardise the start of the trial operation," the spokesman said. "The recall has been going on successfully for a few days and will be completed in two weeks at the latest."
Toll Collect, whose system uses satellite and mobile phone technology to track truck movements, is owned by German industry stalwarts DaimlerChrysler and Deutsche Telekom , and French highway operator Cofiroute, a unit of Vinci .
Germany is expecting about 2.8 billion euros ($3.2 billion) per year in toll revenue to help bring the country's budget within European deficit limits.
But the toll has already been delayed twice due to technical glitches, legal battles and a row with the European Commission. It is due to come into force on November 2.
The German transport minister has yet to approve the start of the trial operation, in which 500 haulage companies are set to test the system with 10 trucks each. A successful trial is required for the launch of the full toll system.
Germany's political opposition is trying to cash in on the problem-ridden launch. It will quiz transport minister Manfred Stolpe in parliament's budget committee meeting on Wednesday and has asked for a debate in parliament on Thursday.
The recall applies to 30 percent of the units made by German electronics company Grundig [GRNG.UL]. Other units are made by German technology conglomerate Siemens .