In this hard-hitting podcast, Cars.co.za sits down with Bobby Ramagwede, CEO of AA South Africa, to unpack the 0-star crash test results of the local Toyota Starlet under the AA's Safer Cars for Africa programme. The cars in this programme are bought in South Africa, shipped to Germany and then crashed at the Global NCAP facility. Why did one of South Africa’s best-selling budget cars score zero stars? Only 2 airbags, weak structure, and possiblt manufacturers cutting corners – we break it all down. We cover Toyota SA's response, the difference between passive & active safety, and what this means for every South African driver and passenger. Plus: the AA has already bought the new 6-airbag Starlet – retest coming July/August 2026. Will it's results improve. Support safer cars: Visit https://www.aa.co.za/safer-cars-for-africa Drop your thoughts below – should 6 airbags be the legal minimum in SA? 👍 Like if you want safer cars on our roads 🔔 Subscribe for more honest car reviews & podcasts 📍 Cars.co.za – South Africa’s biggest motoring channel 00:00 - Intro: Safer Cars for Africa Explained 01:30 - Toyota Starlet's 0-Star Crash Test 03:15 - Toyota's Cease & Desist Letter 05:00 - South African Safety Laws vs. Global Standards 07:45 - Manufacturing Choices: Cost vs. Safety 10:30 - Why Africa Doesn't Have an NCAP Facility 13:15 - Upcoming Retest & Final Thoughts Visit Cars.co.za at: https://www.cars.co.za Sell your car on Cars.co.za: https://www.cars.co.za/sell-car/ Follow Cars.co.za on the socials: https://www.twitter.com/CarsSouthAfrica https://www.facebook.com/CarsSA https://www.instagram.com/CarsSouthAfrica https://www.tiktok.com/@carssouthafrica Download the Cars.co.za App here: Apple https://apps.apple.com/za/app/cars-co-za/id626789511 Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mushroomcloud.cars&hl=en_ZA&gl=US Huawei App Gallery https://appgallery.huawei.com/#/app/C100880073
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Make this man a regular feature 😊.
Much respect to AA
Unfortunately most manufacturers are more worries about adding a 65-inch tv to the dash and disco lighting all over the interior than giving us safer cars at an affordable price.
What an important conversation. Well articulated and informative. Thank you
Top Gear had a "well spoken man". Bobby is our well spoken man. He has a fantastic voice and such an awesome demeanor. He is a master orrator.
I wonder how those Inyathi Taxis would fare in a NCAP test.
Building and selling a car with inferior safety tech for Africa is one thing, but then building that same car with inferior body panels and structural rigidity/safety for Africa compared to the rest of the world sounds criminal to me. Shame on Toyota, Huyndai or any other manufacturer caught doing this!! Thanks AA for exposing this.
We need Bobby back, make him a regular feature. Dude has pleasant aura.
This is concerning, 0-star safety rating for a Starlet/Baleno. 😢😢😢
If Toyota was a Chinese automaker the reaction from media and public would be different.
Big up the AA & Bobby, in his land rover
I am so grateful that someone is fighting for people's actual lives! Thank you AA!
That is still so much safer than my old Mk2 Jetta...
People worry about price and not safety.
Toyota is making more money with unsafe cars like this Starlet, please this is not safe for the road that ain't even at high speed the damage looks horrible and scary to own one.
This is a great video guys. Please make this a permanent segment to the show. Very informative.
So we accepted the Baleno, and fronx, which failed the ANCAP in Australia, wow, the government needs to step up
if toyata is 0 star suzuki is also 0 star wow
What a great job Bobby is doing, well done and all the best top the AA and us.
This guy makes me want to join the AA! In the old days, all responsible toppies were part of the AA.