Latest #SaferCarsForAfrica Crash Test Results Give Cause For Serious Concern
Global NCAP and AA South Africa launch the fourth round of #SaferCarsForAfrica crash test results today (December 3rd) supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the FIA Foundation. The three models tested, the Steed 5 pick up from Great Wall, the Haval H1 five door SUV and the Kwid five door compact from Renault, all gave serious cause for concern with poor levels of adult and child protection. Alarmingly the zero rated Great Wall Steed 5 demonstrated a high probability of life threatening injury.
Alejandro Furas, Global NCAP Secretary General said,
“Another zero star rated ‘Bakkie’ gives us very serious cause for concern in our latest crash test results for Africa. The potential for life threatening injury in the Steed 5 follows the zero star performance of the Nissan Hardbody pick up. The contrast between the marketing claims for such vehicles and the reality of their poor safety performance could not be more stark.”
David Ward, Towards Zero Foundation President said,
“This is a worrying set of results for the safety of both adult and child occupants in these popular African cars. Our second #SaferCarsforAfrica zero rating in the ‘Bakkie” category, with the high probability of life threatening injury, should be ringing alarm bells for any consumer considering the purchase of a Steed 5 pick up.
“From our global perspective, with successful crash test programmes in India and Latin America, we can track the varying safety equipment specifications for cars manufactured in one market and sold in others. It’s therefore surprising to note that the Renault Kwid developed for Latin America, based on the original Indian version, has a better adult and child occupant protection performance, includes standard ISOFIX anchorages as well as dual front and side airbags.”
Willem Groenewald, AA South Africa CEO said,
“I concur with both Ale and David that these results are worrisome and cause for concern. Since the #SaferCarsForAfrica programme’s first results were launched in 2017 we’ve been calling for an improvement in the safety standards set by government. These results again confirm the urgent need for this to happen; we simply cannot have unsafe cars on our roads anymore.
“We have spoken to the National Regulator for Compulsory Standards about standards and although the evidence is clear, we are eager to see movement in this regard. Action is needed, and needed now because it’s about protecting South African citizens.”
Great Wall Steed 5
Pick ups, also known as ‘Bakkies’ are a popular category of vehicle in Africa. Following the 2018 crash test of the Nissan NP300 Hardbody, Global NCAP selected the Great Wall Steed 5, which competes on price with the Nissan in the pick up category.
The Steed 5 is tested in the basic version without airbags. Driver dummy readings showed a red head and brown chest and neck, which translates into poor protection for head and weak protection for neck and chest. Those body parts are considered critical body regions. The structure was considered as unstable as was the footwell area. The deformation in the passenger compartment and movement of the steering column questions if an airbag would be able to prevent serious injuries to the driver.
As the manufacturer decided not to recommend a Child Restraint System (CRS) for the test, zero points were awarded for the child occupant dynamic assessment score. The three year old dummy CRS broke during the impact due to the poor performance of the restrain system. The Steed 5 does not have ISOFIX anchorages for the child seats in the rear and lacks three point belts in all seating positions.
Read the full crash test report
Watch the crash test video
Download crash test image
Renault Kwid
The Renault Kwid was tested by Global NCAP when it was launched in India in 2016 and its structure has since been improved. A version manufactured in Brazil was later tested by Latin NCAP where it achieved 3 stars, with side body airbags added to frontal airbags and ABS.
In Africa the Kwid with the recent facelift offers 2 airbags as standard. The protection offered to the driver head was rated adequate and good for the passengers. Both necks show good protection but the driver chest showed weak protection. An unstable body structure, unstable footwell structure and pedal movement, explain the two stars for adult occupant protection. The child occupant protection showed poor performance as the head contacted the interior of the car. The lack of three point belts in all seating positions and lack of ISOFIX anchorages contribute to the 2 star rating for Child occupant protection.
Read the full crash test report
Watch the crash test video
Download crash test image
Haval H1
The Haval H1 is part of the popular new vehicle segment of small SUVs. The H1 offers two airbags as standard. The injuries recorded in the driver and passenger head and neck showed good protection. Driver chest showed weak protection and passenger chest showed good protection. Feet showed poor protection, which together with the driver readings, unstable structure and unstable footwell area explain the two star rating for adult occupant protection.
Child occupant protection was negatively affected because the manufacturer refused to indicate a CRS for use in the test bringing dynamic points to zero. The CRS selected by Global NCAP used the ISOFIX anchorages available in the car. Both child dummies heads contacted the car during the test threatening the safety of the child occupants. Lack of proper ISOFIX markings and the lack of a passenger airbag disabling switch resulted in a two star child occupant protection rating for the H1.
Read the full crash test report
Watch the crash test video
Download crash test image
Child Occupant Protection
Global NCAP awards a separate child safety rating to each car in order to highlight the different levels of protection vehicles provide to child passengers on the rear seats. Global NCAP tests a CRS recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Because the only safe way for young children to travel is properly restrained in a child seat, the assessment checks how compatible the car is with the child seats, as well as crash protection. Only one of the vehicles tested offers ISOFIX as standard which is a major concern knowing the major advantages of this feature.
Note to Editors
Safer Cars For Africa Campaign
The #SaferCarsForAfrica Campaign was launched by Global NCAP in 2017 with the objective of promoting safer vehicles across the continent of Africa.
Global NCAP is a major programme of the Towards Zero Foundation, a UK based charity working internationally in support of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, with a goal of halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030.
The Towards Zero Foundation has consultative status with the UN (ECOSOC), is a member of the UN Road Safety Collaboration and the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety, is an NGO accredited by the Commonwealth and an observer at the UN World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Standards.
AA South Africa
The Automobile Association (AA) has been the trusted champion of the South African motorist and traveller for over 85 years. Along with our AA Accredited Sales Agents located countrywide, the AA offers access to over 50 benefits on 1 card as well as other travel and mobility services that extend far beyond 24-hour roadside assistance – from technical and legal advice, to emergency rescue services, roadside security and a mobile app suite. The AA offers specialised apprenticeships to help motor industry players build in-house skill, and short skill courses for individuals.
The Automobile Association of South Africa is a member of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme (AIT).
FIA Foundation
The FIA Foundation is an independent UK registered charity which supports an international programme of activities promoting road safety, the environment and sustainable mobility. Our aim is to ensure ‘Safe, Clean, Fair and Green’ mobility for all, playing a part to ensure a sustainable future through:
– promoting research, disseminating the results of research and providing information in any matters of public interest which include road safety, automobile technology, the protection and preservation of human life and public health, transport and public mobility and the protection of the environment;
– and promoting improvement in the safety of motor sport, and of drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other road users which works globally to promote safe, clean fair and green mobility.
Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies works in more than 120 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving.
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