Volkswagen Group issues recall for Polo and Taigo models in South Africa
Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) has issued a safety recall for 142 Polo vehicles and eight Taigo models due to a potentially dangerous fault in the passenger airbag system. The affected vehicles, sold between December 2022 and January 2024, may contain defective gas generators in the front passenger airbag module.
According to the National Consumer Commission (NCC), the defect could result in the airbag failing to deploy properly during an accident. In some cases, the gas generator housing might rupture or dislodge fragments into the cabin, significantly increasing the risk of serious or fatal injuries to passengers. The NCC confirmed it was officially notified by VWSA of the fault.
As a precaution, affected owners are being urged to deactivate the front passenger airbag and to avoid using the front passenger seat entirely until repairs have been completed. VWSA has advised customers to visit any approved dealership for an inspection and replacement of the affected components if necessary.
The recall affects 141 Polo units released for sale nationally from 20 December 2022, along with one additional Polo and eight Taigo vehicles sold from 29 January 2024. The NCC emphasised that this recall falls under the Consumer Protection Act, which allows the commission to act swiftly in the interest of public safety.
While this recall is relatively limited in scale, it follows a broader safety campaign by Volkswagen Group South Africa in 2025 involving over 900 Polo sedans recalled for faulty rear-seatbelt latch plates, as reported by The Citizen. On the global stage, Volkswagen has also conducted major airbag-related recalls, including one in the U.S. covering more than 114,000 vehicles with Takata inflators that risk exploding due to propellant degradation, as reported by Reuters.
Consumers can use Volkswagen South Africa's online recall tool to check whether their vehicle is affected. The NCC is urging swift action, warning that ignoring the recall could expose vehicle occupants to severe harm in the event of a collision.
For further information, affected customers may contact the NCC directly or reach out to VWSA dealerships for immediate assistance.
All rights reserved. © 2022. Bizcommunity.com Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
Audi could build plant in US to placate Trump, Spiegel reports
Volkswagen's premium brand Audi could build a plant at a new location in the United States under scenarios being considered to placate President Donald Trump in the tariff conflict, the Spiegel news magazine reported on Friday. Audi is considering building a plant in the southern U.S., which would be the more expensive option out of a number of scenarios being considered, with company sources estimating costs of up to 4 billion euros ($4.6 billion), the report said. An Audi spokesperson said that the company aims to build up more of a presence in the United States. "We are currently examining various scenarios for this. We are confident that we will make a decision this year in consultation with the (Volkswagen) group on how this will look in concrete terms," she said in an emailed statement, reaffirming earlier comments made by the company. Audi has no production of its own in the U.S., but Volkswagen has a plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee and one under construction near Columbia, South Carolina. Trump's announcement of sweeping tariffs has already racked up hundreds of millions of euros in costs for German carmakers heavily reliant on their export business, according to an industry representative. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen are in talks with Washington over a possible import tariff deal , seeking to use their U.S. investments and exports as leverage to soften any blow, sources have told Reuters. ($1 = 0.8678 euros)
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
South Africa: Used car sales rise sharply, Toyota and Ford dominate May market
The South African used car market saw strong growth in May 2025, with monthly sales reaching R13.65bn — a 21.1% year-on-year increase. A total of 31,741 used vehicles were sold during the month, reflecting improved consumer activity and vehicle availability, according to AutoTrader data. Month-on-month (MoM) sales were up 11.1%, while year-on-year (YoY) figures increased by 14.9%. Analysts suggest that the higher number of trading days and fewer public holidays compared to April contributed to the surge in sales. The average selling price rose to R428,627, a MoM increase of R7,856 and R21,966 more than May 2024. Reliable nameplates remain in demand The Ford Ranger continued to lead the market as the best-selling used vehicle. While the top five models remained unchanged, there was notable movement lower down the list. The Toyota Corolla Cross climbed two places to seventh, while the Toyota Starlet dropped four spots to tenth. The Suzuki Swift also moved up one spot to sixth place, making it the third most popular used hatchback in May. On the brand front, all of the top 10 marques recorded MoM growth. However, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Nissan posted YoY declines of 2%, 5%, and 6% respectively. The strongest monthly growth came from: - Suzuki: +21% - Mercedes-Benz: +14% - Nissan: +13% In comparison, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Ford saw monthly gains of 8%, 12%, and 9% respectively. Crossovers outperform premium sedans Shifting buyer preferences were also evident in the YoY data, which showed rising demand for budget-friendly hatchbacks and crossovers: - Toyota Corolla Cross: +35.2% - VW Polo Vivo: +34.3% - Toyota Starlet: +32.9% By contrast, sales of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class declined by 19.2% over the same period. Model and variant performance Toyota retained its lead as the most popular brand in the used car market, with 5,564 units sold in May. Volkswagen followed with 4,507 units, and Ford came third with 3,425. The Ford Ranger alone accounted for 55% of all Ford's used vehicle sales. Top-selling individual models included: - Ford Ranger: ~2,000 units - Toyota Hilux: 1,584 - VW Polo Vivo: 1,283 Among specific variants, the VW Polo Vivo 1.4 was the most sold, with 1,005 units. It was followed by: - VW Polo 1.0 TSI: 769 - Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD-6: 604 - Ford Ranger XL: 584 - Toyota Hilux 2.4 GD-6: 569 Used vehicle market performance in May reflects sustained consumer confidence in well-established brands and models that offer long-term value and reliability.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Rolls-Royce's new Johannesburg hub to boost power systems support
Rolls-Royce's newly opened headquarters and training facility in Johannesburg will support its Power Systems division and its fleet of MTU mobile and stationary power solutions across several sectors, including energy, technology, mining, transportation, and oil and gas. Located in a specially adapted facility spanning approximately 6,000m², the new site consolidates core customer-facing functions into a central hub, including service coordination, spare parts storage, logistics, and technical training. It complements Rolls-Royce's existing footprint in South Africa, with MTU engine rebuild capability, and finance and logistics functions located in Cape Town. The training centre is designed to support between 100 and 150 trainees annually with a wide range of training engines, including MTU 2000 and 4000 series, used for power generation, mining and rail applications. Trainees will benefit from access to advanced tooling and use simulation equipment for electronic training. The centre will deliver certified practical and theoretical training, equipping customers and partners from across Africa with the knowledge and hands-on experience required to support a wide range of applications and industries. The new facility, operated by Rolls-Royce Solutions Africa, features dedicated capacity for the engineering and assembly of repower modules, enabling the replacement of engines in mining haul trucks and excavators with more suitable MTU power solutions. This allows customers to select upgrade options tailored to their specific operational needs. Fitting MTU engines delivers clear commercial benefits, including lower total cost of ownership through improved fuel efficiency, increased equipment availability, and reduced maintenance costs. Cobus Van Schalkwyk, Rolls-Royce Solutions Africa director global mining and MD, says: 'As we approach our 25th year in South Africa, this new facility is a clear signal of our confidence in Africa's growth and our commitment to being closer to our customers. By bringing support services, technical training, and parts availability together under one roof, we're building the capabilities that matter most to our partners across the continent. This investment also supports our strategy to further localise operations, reduce lead times, and strengthen supply chain resilience — critical advantages for customers operating in remote or fast-paced environments.'
