The Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) is urging car manufacturers to prioritise safety for local consumers, citing concerning results from recent vehicle crash tests.
Bobby Ramagwede, CEO of the AASA, highlighted the #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign, which revealed a zero-star rating for the Hyundai Grand i10 at the end of last year and, more recently, a two-star rating for adult occupant protection for the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro as well as the locally produced Toyota Corolla Cross. The latter result sparked widespread discussion, given Toyota’s long-standing position as South Africa’s top-selling brand.
“A two star rating for the Tiggo 7 Pro is very disappointing, but this poor result is seriously compounded by the publication of misleading information on crash test results from other markets,” said Richard Woods, CEO of Global NCAP. “South African consumers need independent and accurate information to inform their purchasing decisions. Transparency and accountability on vehicle safety, not marketing smoke and mirrors,” he added.
Ramagwede said that consumers have a right to expect that cars sold locally are as safe as those sold in other markets.
“It is imperative that we hold manufacturers to task for safety, whether they are local distributors like Hyundai or local manufacturers like Toyota,” he added.
The AASA has previously worked with manufacturers such as Volkswagen to improve safety standards.
When the locally produced Polo Vivo initially failed Global NCAP testing, the original equipment manufacturer implemented safety upgrades, leading to a safer vehicle and improved test results.
Ramagwede emphasised that the AASA prefers proactive engagement with manufacturers rather than confrontation.
“We work with OEMs to provide detailed results and solutions, helping them adopt safety measures more quickly,” he said.
The AASA is calling for stricter local safety standards and more widespread testing to ensure South African consumers receive vehicles that meet global safety benchmarks. Ramagwede added that the ultimate goal is a fully functioning African NCAP system.
“Ultimately, the consumer in South Africa should always get a safe car. Would we like more cars tested? Yes. Would we like apples-for-apples safety here versus Europe? Absolutely,” he said.