Newsroom
The Cyprus government is facing a growing issue involving hundreds of cars that need to be recalled due to faulty airbags. Specifically, about 11,000 Mazda Demio vehicles, imported as used cars from non-EU countries, have defective TAKATA airbags on the passenger side that need replacing. These cars are currently operating without any legal requirement to be grounded, a gap in Cyprus’ laws that has raised concerns about public safety.
The Director of the Road Transport Department (RTD), George Louca, highlighted that the current legal framework does not allow for the immobilization of these cars, despite the recall. However, there’s a glimmer of hope: a new legislative proposal, set to be voted on this Thursday, aims to automatically suspend roadworthiness certificates for vehicles with serious safety risks. If passed, the law will take effect on January 31, 2025, which could help address this issue and prevent these dangerous cars from being driven.
Mazda’s local distributor, Geo Pavlides Automotive, has been quick to respond to the recall and has provided the necessary data to the RTD, which has since made the information available online. Louca praised the distributor’s efforts but emphasized that the situation involves a massive volume of affected vehicles, making the logistics of the recall a challenge. The distributor will need to hire additional technicians to handle the airbag replacements, and the Ministry of Transport is also considering ways to assist car owners during the process.
While the legislative change could improve road safety, it also highlights a broader problem for the government: how to handle the influx of vehicles that could be deemed unsafe under the new law and ensure that the recall process runs smoothly for thousands of affected drivers.
With info from CNA
