Volkswagen $VOW3 (-1,21%) has pulled the plug and is recalling up to 16,500 vehicles due to a potential defect in the passenger-side airbags. A company spokesperson expressed optimism and emphasized that the actual number of affected vehicles may be lower, as many of the vehicles were only recently rolled off the assembly line and may still be in the process of being delivered. This means that not all recall notices have been sent to customers yet, which could somewhat alleviate the situation. Nevertheless, accident researcher Markus Egelhaaf of Dekra issues a strong warning: It is advisable not to sit in the front passenger seat until the problem has been resolved. After all, the airbag is a central component of the restraint system, which is crucial for the complete protection of the occupants.
In the U.S., Worldline $WLN (-0,92%) is facing investigations following serious allegations revolving around so-called "dirty payments." A company spokesperson confirmed to the Swedish daily "Dagens Nyheter" that the relevant authorities are taking the allegations very seriously. In a conversation with a high-ranking Worldline manager, critical issues were addressed, particularly the handling of high-risk customers and anti-fraud measures. These developments have caused quite a stir on the Paris Stock Exchange: The stock price plummeted by 38 percent on Wednesday. Although there was a slight recovery on Thursday, the price began to fall again on Friday morning, further exacerbating the company’s precarious situation.
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