Privacy Policy

BAIC Vaal

Effective Date: 2025

BAIC Vaal (“BAIC Vaal”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is processed lawfully, transparently, and securely in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”).

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share, disclose, protect, and manage your personal information when you interact with BAIC Vaal, including when you visit our website, submit enquiries, request services, or engage with us in relation to vehicle sales, servicing, or related offerings.

1. What Personal Information We Collect

We collect and process personal information only when necessary to provide services, respond to enquiries, or fulfil business operations. This may include:

  1. Name and surname
  2. Contact details (email address, telephone number)
  3. Location information (city, province)
  4. Identification or verification information (when required)
  5. Vehicle preferences, test-drive requests, or purchase interests
  6. Information submitted for quotes (finance, insurance, trade-ins)
  7. Service booking information
  8. Website usage information collected via cookies
  9. Any other information voluntarily provided by you

We do not intentionally collect special or sensitive personal information unless it is voluntarily provided for a specific service (for example, finance or insurance applications). Where such information is processed, additional safeguards are applied in accordance with POPIA.

2. How We Collect Personal Information

We may collect personal information when:

  1. You complete online forms (e.g. test-drive requests, enquiries, service bookings)
  2. You contact us via email, telephone, or social media
  3. You request vehicle quotations, finance, insurance, or related services
  4. You interact with BAIC Vaal staff or representatives at our dealership
  5. You visit our website and accept cookies
  6. You participate in competitions, promotions, events, or campaigns

3. Purpose of Collection & Use of Personal Information

We process your personal information for the following purposes:

  1. To provide services you request (test drives, quotations, service bookings, vehicle information)
  2. To respond to enquiries and provide customer support
  3. To facilitate communication regarding vehicle purchases, servicing, and related services
  4. To assist with finance, insurance, or warranty-related requests (where applicable)
  5. To improve our website, services, and customer experience
  6. For operational, administrative, and reporting purposes
  7. For safety, security, and fraud prevention
  8. For marketing communications where consent has been given

We will not use personal information for any purpose not disclosed in this policy unless:

  1. It is compatible with the original purpose, or
  2. We obtain your explicit consent, or
  3. POPIA permits such further processing.

4. Direct Marketing

We will only send you marketing communications (via email, SMS, WhatsApp, or telephone) where:

  1. You have provided consent, and
  2. You have not opted out of receiving such communications.

You may withdraw your consent or unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time.

5. Sharing & Disclosure of Personal Information

We may share your personal information with:

  1. BAIC South Africa or related vehicle distributors where necessary for vehicle sales, warranties, or support
  2. Finance and insurance providers (only when requested by you)
  3. Service providers or partners involved in vehicle servicing or support
  4. Approved IT and data-processing service providers
  5. Regulatory or law-enforcement authorities where required by law

All third-party operators are bound by confidentiality obligations, POPIA compliance requirements, and data-processing agreements.

We do not sell your personal information to any third party.

6. Cross-Border Transfers

Your personal information may be stored or processed outside South Africa, for example through cloud hosting services or manufacturer support systems.

Where this occurs, we ensure that:

  1. Adequate data protection safeguards are in place
  2. Appropriate contractual protections exist, or
  3. Transfers occur in accordance with POPIA requirements.

7. Cookies Policy

Our website may use cookies to:

  1. Remember user preferences
  2. Improve website performance and functionality
  3. Understand how visitors interact with the website

You may choose to accept or reject cookies through your browser settings. Please note that rejecting cookies may affect certain website functionality.

8. Children’s Privacy

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without parental or guardian consent. Parents and guardians are encouraged to supervise children’s online activity.

9. Security Safeguards

We implement reasonable and appropriate technical and organisational security measures to protect personal information, including:

  1. Secure servers and encrypted connections
  2. Firewalls and intrusion monitoring
  3. Controlled and role-based system access
  4. Staff training on POPIA compliance
  5. Periodic security reviews
  6. Confidentiality agreements with service providers

While we strive to protect personal information, no online system can guarantee absolute security.

10. Data Retention & Destruction

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to:

  1. Fulfil the purposes described in this policy
  2. Maintain customer relationships
  3. Comply with legal, regulatory, and business obligations

When personal information is no longer required, it will be securely deleted, destroyed, or anonymised.

11. Data Breach Notification

If a security breach occurs that compromises personal information:

  1. We will investigate the breach promptly
  2. We will notify the Information Regulator where required
  3. Affected individuals will be notified as soon as reasonably possible

Notifications will include:

  1. The nature of the breach
  2. Possible consequences
  3. Steps individuals can take to protect themselves
  4. Actions taken by BAIC Vaal to address the breach

12. Your Rights Under POPIA

Under POPIA, you have the right to:

  1. Access personal information held about you
  2. Request correction of inaccurate or outdated information
  3. Request deletion of information (where legally permitted)
  4. Object to certain types of processing
  5. Withdraw consent at any time
  6. Opt out of direct marketing
  7. Request details of third parties who have accessed your information
  8. Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator

Requests may be submitted to the Information Officer, who will respond within the timelines required by POPIA.

13. PAIA (Promotion of Access to Information Act)

Where applicable, our PAIA Manual is available upon request and outlines:

  1. How to request access to records
  2. Applicable procedures
  3. Relevant forms and timelines

14. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updated versions will be published on our website with the revised effective date. Continued use of our services indicates acceptance of any updated terms.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your personal information is handled, please contact:

BAIC Vaal

Pristine Motors 346 Old Johannesburg Rd, The De Deur Estates, De Deur, 1884, South Africa

Contact us on: 0161004502 or Sales@pristinemotors.co.za