VW recalls over 140 Polos, several Taigos over airbag fault
If the vehicles were involved in an accident, a fault with the airbag gas generator could result in 'a reduced protective effect by the front passenger airbag and an increased risk of injury to the passenger.'
'Furthermore, the gas generator housing may burst, or components of the gas generator housing may come loose and cause serious or deadly injuries to vehicle occupants,' the NCC said.
According to VW, 141 Polos were made available for sale nationally from 20 December 2022, while one Polo and eight Taigo vehicles were made available for sale from 29 January 2024.
The NCC said affected consumers had to deactivate the front passenger airbag and refrain from using the seat.
They also needed to bring their vehicle to any Volkswagen-approved dealer to have it checked and, if necessary, have the affected parts replaced.
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2 hours ago
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How the Defender Became Land Rover's Best-Selling Model
How the Defender Became Land Rover's Best-Selling Model originally appeared on Autoblog. Land Rover now sells more Defenders in a month than it used to sell in a year. By a wide margin, the Defender has become JLR's best-selling model, with over 115,000 units sold globally in 2024. In the first six months of 2025 alone, another 60,000 found homes around the world, putting it on track to beat the prior year's record. For comparison, the next best-selling JLR models were the Range Rover Sport (≈79,862 units in 2024, +19.7%) and the full-size Range Rover (≈76,715 units, +8.9%) – both impressive, yet still trailing the Defender's volume. What's even more remarkable is the sustained sales strength year-on-year that the new Defender has enjoyed. Product lifecycles typically follow a surge after launch and then taper off, but Land Rover's reinvented icon isn't just selling well – it's redefining what sustained automotive success looks like in the modern era. 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View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article There is also new tech like adaptive off-road cruise control, which we tested around a rocky quarry that allows the Defender to automatically crawl at a set speed over rough terrain. Land Rover even responded to enthusiast requests by introducing larger accessory white steel wheels to fit models with big brake packages – fixing a long-standing annoyance that the previous wheel options posed for some owners. Other MY2026 tweaks include new exterior colors (e.g. Borasco Grey, Keswick Green) and additional accessories like an integrated air compressor and new roof racks. All these changes are relatively small in isolation, but together they keep the Defender feeling fresh and finely tuned to customer desires. This "evergreen" product strategy has paid off in loyalty. Defender owners are seeing meaningful improvements each year – more power, more tech, more personalization – without losing the core character they love. 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2 hours ago
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How the Defender Became Land Rover's Best-Selling Model
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This is unheard of in an industry where year-four is typically when a vehicle starts losing steam. JLR attributes this to tactical updates and expanded offerings that have kept consumer demand high. View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article The new Defender's appeal also transcends traditional SUV boundaries, drawing in a surprisingly broad customer base. The two-door Defender 90 has attracted buyers who previously drove sports cars – they see the short-wheelbase Defender as a fun, characterful alternative – whereas the three-row Defender 130 is finding favor with multi-child family households, especially in the U.S. This broad appeal has enabled Defender to conquest buyers across the automotive spectrum while also bringing back Land Rover loyalists who had long awaited a worthy successor to the original Defender. Crucially, the Defender's success hasn't cannibalized its Range Rover siblings. On the contrary, Range Rover sales have remained robust (even growing nearly 9% last year) alongside Defender's rise. In other words, Defender is expanding JLR's total customer pool, not merely shuffling it. The Customer-Centric Philosophy At the heart of Defender's success lies an obsessive focus on customer feedback. As Jessica Martin, Global Product Manager for Defender, explained, "We spend so much time assessing what customers say, what they feed back to us. We've got different mechanisms – whether that's through focus groups, specific insight programs, retail feedback or surveys. We're constantly using that to optimize and move forward." Rather than waiting four or five years for a big facelift, the Defender team makes incremental upgrades every year based on real-world input. "We know customers love what we already do, which is why we're gently iterating it year on year," Martin noted. This strategy has created an unprecedented loyalty loop – owners see that Land Rover keeps improving the Defender, giving them little reason to switch to another brand. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article For example, the upcoming 2026 model year (MY) Defender brings a host of thoughtful enhancements. Powertrain options are upgraded; notably, a new 5.0-liter supercharged V8 (dubbed the P425) joins the 3.0-liter turbo inline-6 in the 90 and 110, boosting output from about 400 to 421 horsepower for more "pulling power." The Defender's signature lighting is refreshed with crisp new LED headlight graphics and flush-fitting rear lamps with smoked lenses, giving a modern twist to its timeless look. Every Defender now gets a larger 13.1-inch infotainment touchscreen (up from 10–11.4 inches before) and a revised center console for a more upscale, user-friendly cabin. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article There is also new tech like adaptive off-road cruise control, which we tested around a rocky quarry that allows the Defender to automatically crawl at a set speed over rough terrain. Land Rover even responded to enthusiast requests by introducing larger accessory white steel wheels to fit models with big brake packages – fixing a long-standing annoyance that the previous wheel options posed for some owners. Other MY2026 tweaks include new exterior colors (e.g. Borasco Grey, Keswick Green) and additional accessories like an integrated air compressor and new roof racks. All these changes are relatively small in isolation, but together they keep the Defender feeling fresh and finely tuned to customer desires. This "evergreen" product strategy has paid off in loyalty. Defender owners are seeing meaningful improvements each year – more power, more tech, more personalization – without losing the core character they love. The result is that many are sticking with the model, upgrading to newer versions or special editions rather than drifting to competitors. Special Editions Drive Excitement The release of new special editions has further boosted the Defender's appeal. Take the recently introduced Defender Trophy Edition and the range-topping Defender Octa. The Trophy Edition, inspired by the legendary Camel Trophy off-road expeditions, sports a nostalgic Sandglow Yellow paint and a bundle of expedition accessories (roof rack, snorkel, skid plates, winch, etc.) for a factory-built adventure look. Meanwhile, the Defender Octa serves as the halo model for the lineup. It's an exceptionally capable, high-performance Defender packing a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 626 bhp and 553 lb-ft of torque, plus advanced suspension and chassis upgrades. The Octa (and the stealthy new Octa Black Edition) can sprint 0–60 mph in under 4 seconds, supercar territory – all while remaining an immensely capable 4x4. By pushing the envelope, the Octa keeps the Defender in the spotlight and attracts attention from both hardcore off-roaders and luxury SUV buyers alike. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article The Defender's success extends beyond showrooms through savvy marketing partnerships, notably its sponsorship of the Oasis "Live '25" reunion tour. This alignment reinforces Defender's image as adventurous, culturally relevant, and quintessentially British, resonating strongly with fans and keeping the model highly visible internationally. The Future of Automotive Success The Defender's recent sales trajectory provides insights into shifting automotive industry dynamics. Traditional product cycles, defined by early peaks and mid-cycle refreshes, might be evolving as continuous innovation and incremental improvements become increasingly important to maintaining consumer interest. This philosophy extends to future decisions as well. 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Motor 1
6 hours ago
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Catalytic Converters Are Stolen So Often This Mechanic Made a Rap PSA About It. Here's the Real Reason Why They're So Lucrative
Catalytic converters are commonly stolen. A viral post by a mechanic highlights the issue. In a Facebook post , automotive repair shop Doctor Auto shares a rap about catalytic converters. The post has generated over 3.1 million views as of this writing. In the post, mechanic Derek McDaniel raps over a video revealing a very clogged catalytic converter. The beat is simple, and the bars are lethal. 'I don't lie, I don't murder. But I might steal your catalytic converter. When you leave it unattended in the parking lot, I got a sawzall blade and it's mighty hot,' the mechanic raps. Doctor Auto told Motor1 , 'It was a clogged Catalytic Converter on a F150 5.4L. When we took it off, we noticed that some catalyst matter fell out of it. We pulled out my camera and recorded.' Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . This rap parody of stealing catalytic converters had viewers howling for more, and others chiming in on the trend to steal these. 'My guy you snapped. I need a full song,' one person said. 'Always wanted to steal one,' another admitted. 'You should finish the song, it's good so far,' a third replied. What Are Catalytic Converters? A catalytic converter is a part of your car's exhaust system that converts harmful engine exhaust pollutants into something less harmful to the environment through chemical reactions, J.D Power reports. This car part will turn pollutants like carbon monoxide into less harmful substances like nitrogen and water vapor. This part became popular in the mid-1970s when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulated vehicle emissions tests. There are three types of catalytic converters: Two-way converters, three-way converters, and diesel oxidation catalysts. Catalytic converters are now standard in cars. Why Are Catalytic Converters Stolen So Often? While the catalytic converter is known for reducing toxins and vehicle emissions, this car part has become a target for thieves, AAA shares. Thieves target this car part because it's valuable. According to Catalytic Converter Recycling , catalytic converters require three metals with more value than gold. The three metals included in catalytic converters are platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These expensive metals can be recycled easily and broken down to be sold as scraps. Replacing a catalytic converter can put a dent in the wallet and cost up to $2,500 without labor, Autozone reports. With the valuable metal components of platinum, palladium, and rhodium, thieves can turn a nice profit stealing catalytic converters. Trending Now 'If He Acts Like That From Rejection in Public…:' Female Motorcyclist Gets Hit on by Man at a Gas Station. Then She Rejects Him 2 Men Spot a Mom Loading a Mini Car Into Her Truck. Then They Discover Her Ingenious Method for Transporting It Even the scraps of the catalytic converter can be valuable, RRCats shares. Scrap recyclers will usually pay $100 or so for each one because they can refine the metal if needed, one Reddit user said. Catalytic converters are an easy part to steal because they're outside the vehicle. With just a sawzall, a thief can quickly nab one. Ways to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft Preventive measures can be taken to decrease the chance of your catalytic converter getting stolen. SUVs, trucks, and hybrids have valuable catalytic converters that are easily removable. According to Allstate Car Insurance , here are five ways to prevent catalytic converter theft: Know if your car is a likely target Park in well-lit areas Install an anti-theft device Install motion-sensitive lights and cameras in your parking area Paint your catalytic converter to deter buyers You can also etch your license plate number or VIN onto the catalytic converter. This can potentially alert a scrap dealer that the part was stolen and make it easier to find the owner. Additionally, parking in well-lit areas is always a best practice. So is regularly relocating your parking spot. More From Motor1 Toyota Offering Catalytic Converter Shields On Prius, Other Models Justice Department Shuts Down Massive Catalytic Converter Theft Ring Mercedes-AMG One Technical Video Shows Just How Complicated The Hypercar Really Is Watch How Quick Thieves Can Steal Your Car's Catalytic Converter Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
