Now discontinued battery-wed edition in spotlight for coming up one short in airbag count.

ALREADY on uncertain ground following announcement of divorcing from its distributor, Korean make KGM has now taken a hit from the national safety auditor over a safety specification lapse.

In focus is the Torres EVX, the fully electric version of a sports utility that has been the key sales pitch from the brand that used to be known as Ssangyong.

An advisory has come from safety advisor ANCAP, the Australasian New Car Assessment Programme, in respect to the wagon edition sold in New Zealand also having the same issue as the utility variant, only sold in Australia, that raised concern from the organisation last week.

ANCAP says the consumer alert it shared on August 21 in respect to the dual cab being supplied to customers without a centre airbag now also extends to the EVX.

“Unlike the Musso EV issue, which affects Australian-supplied vehicles, the omission affecting the Torres EVX extends to both Australia and New Zealand,” ANCAP said today.

It says the battery-electric supplied since its market introduction to NZ in March 2024 and October 2025 (AUS) are not fitted with a centre airbag, which goes against marketing information stating it has that device.

ANCAP says a centre airbag was marketed by KGM as being present on Torres EVX vehicles as part of a standard suite of “eight airbags”, with references featured in their consumer vehicle specification brochure and website.

“The KGM Torres EVX is, however, only fitted with seven airbags. The KGM Musso EV was advertised as having eight airbags with only six fitted.”

A centre airbag – advertised by KGM as “front row far-side” or “front seat centre airbag” – is an occupant-protecting airbag generally positioned inboard within the driver’s seat back to reduce injury in side impact crashes.

Customers who have already purchased a Torres EVX are advised that the safety specification of their vehicle may differ to that advertised, and that the omission of the centre airbag may have an effect on occupant safety in side impact crashes.

KGM Australia has confirmed that their marketing materials have been updated to reflect actual specification of Torres EVX vehicles on sale locally.

The Torres EVX is no longer on sale as new in the NZ market, but the advisory spans the period when it was.

Petrol and hybrid variants of the KGM Torres are not believed to be affected, with centre and knee airbags verified on regionally-available vehicles.

ANCAP has encouraged KGM to deliver a production change that would see a centre airbag fitted.

On July 1 British auto group Inchcape announced it was relinquishing a distribution arrangement for KGM in NZ, thus ending a marriage that lasted just over two years.

Statistics suggest they achieved 721 registrations during the union; about one third the stated ambition expected during the tenure period.

What happens now for the make, the reborn entity of SsangYong, in this market remains unclear.

The call came after it has just introduced the Torres Hybrid, with a self-sustained petrol-electric powertrain.