Euro NCAP Publishing First Chinese Vehicle Rating
by Patricia Montgomery, LincsMag Writer.
Date: 09 October 2010
Last November Euro NCAP released the crash test results for fourteen cars, including the first Chinese-manufactured vehicle it has yet tested.
Ten cars achieved Euro NCAP’s maximum award of five stars, three received four stars and one received a two star result, you can probably guess which one that was.
After an unsuccessful first introduction onto the European market in 2005, the Chinese Landwind returned with the CV9, a mid-sized MPV that achieved the two stars in Euro NCAP’s assessment.
Eager to erase its poor safety record, Landwind hopes to make a strong comeback with the CV9, which according to the Chinese carmaker ‘has been revamped to meet the strictest European safety standards’.
In comparison to competitive vehicles in this segment, however, the car remains poorly equipped, lacking a side protection airbag, a head protection device and electronic stability control.
The car was limited to a two star rating by its overall performance although it came close to meeting the three star threshold for adult occupant protection.
Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP’s Secretary General, had this to say, "It is clear that vehicles from China, India and other emerging countries will in the next few years become commonplace on European roads. Euro NCAP will ensure that consumers know what levels of safety are offered by these vehicles. By highlighting differences in safety performance, we aim to drive the safety of all cars towards and beyond the high levels we see from more well-established manufacturers. We are confident that Landwind and others will rise to this challenge."
The Kia Venga has been reassessed shortly after its market introduction and has been awarded with a five star result. In February 2010, Euro NCAP highlighted some weaknesses in the car’s performance in the frontal impact test leading to a four star rating.
Kia have made structural changes to the front of the car and have refined the restraint systems to improve the protection of adult and child occupants. With this, Kia have demonstrated their wish to achieve the highest level of safety for its vehicles.
The only executive car in this release - the Jaguar XF - surprisingly received four stars, its rating limited by adult and child occupant protection. In the side pole impact of the XF, chest protection was rated as weak and the car’s seat and head restraint provided marginal whiplash protection.
The Volkswagen Amarok received four stars and, with 17 points, is the pickup offering best pedestrian protection so far tested by Euro NCAP. However, a poor level of chest protection was offered in the side pole test.
From the same stable, Euro NCAP has tested the five door MPV VW Sharan. This car has exactly the same platform, interior fittings and levels of safety equipment as the new Seat Alhambra and the five star rating applies to both vehicles.
Finally, Euro NCAP’s other top scorers with five star results are the Audi A1, the BMW Mini Countryman, the Ford C-MAX and Ford Grand C-MAX, the Kia Sportage, the Opel/Vauxhall Meriva and the facelifted VW Passat. The Nissan Micra was rewarded with four stars.
