Beijing/Shanghai — Volkswagen and its Chinese joint ventures, FAW-Volkswagen and SAIC Volkswagen, will recall 4.86-million vehicles in China due to potential issues with Takata airbags, a blow to the car maker in the world’s largest vehicle market. The recall comes after Chinese watchdogs asked the German car maker as well as General Motors and Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz to recall vehicles with Takata air bags earlier this year. Official Chinese estimates show more than 20-million cars in China had air bags made by Takata, which have been linked to at least 16 deaths and 180 injuries globally. The air bags have the potential to explode with too much force and spray shrapnel. The defect led to the biggest recall in automotive history and the eventual bankruptcy of the Japanese maker. Volkswagen told Reuters in an e-mailed statement on Thursday that after discussions, Chinese authorities had concluded the fault could occur in rare cases when the air bag was deployed, "which may create a ...

Subscribe now to unlock this article.

Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).

There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.

Cancel anytime.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.