Car Safety Still Too Low But Some Progress Made
The latest crash test results released by Latin NCAP reveal that the safety levels of some popular cars sold in the region are still twenty years behind the industrialised countries and below global standards. However, there has been some progress with more cars achieving a four star safety rating and two manufacturers making air bags standard in the models tested. The results were launched in Buenos Aires on 13 November.
The worst performing cars of the eight tested in Latin NCAP’s third phase were the Renault Sandero and the JAC J3 (click here to see the full results for 2012). The Sandero achieved just one star caused by the model’s unstable performance of the body shell and lack of airbags. This is a disappointing result from Renault, a manufacturer with a good reputation for safety in Europe. The company is clearly capable of doing much better as shown by the other Renault model tested (the Fluence) which gained four stars. The JAC 3 also only gained one star despite having two airbags. This shows clearly the vital importance of body shell strength in protecting occupants in a crash.
Air bags cannot compensate for poor structural crashworthiness and Latin NCAP strongly believes that consumers should not be misled by manufacturers that are relying on airbags alone to give a false impression of safety. Just including an airbag will not guarantee safety. That is why both the public and governments need to be able to verify the structural integrity of the vehicle. This can be done by applying the United Nation’s crash test standards (regulations R94 and R95) and giving consumers the opportunity to compare the safety performance of different models as Latin NCAP is now doing.
More encouraging in phase three is the significant increase in the number of four star cars. Five models achieved four stars showing the combined benefits of improved body shell strength, air bags and seat belts. The four star models are the Ford New Fiesta KD, Honda City, Renault Fluence, Toyota Etios hatchback and the VW Polo hatchback. The remaining model tested, the Volkswagen Clasico/Bora scored just three stars held back by its poor structural integrity.
In a very encouraging additional step forward Ford and VW have confirmed that airbags for the driver and front passenger will now be a standard fitment in the Ford New Fiesta and the Volkswagen Clasico/Bora for all Latin NCAP markets. Latin NCAP strongly welcomes this action in advance of forthcoming legislative requirements in some major Latin American countries.
Another sign of progress in these test results is the achievement for the first time of four stars for child protection. Two models, the Ford Fiesta and the Honda City, achieved this welcome improvement in child safety. The use of the ISOFIX child restraint system played a significant role in reducing the probability of wrong installation and generally improved the dynamic performance. Latin NCAP recommends ISOFIX and encourages all governments, car makers and suppliers in the region to support ISOFIX on the basis of the UN’s R44 regulation.
Latin NCAP is also pleased with the continuing signs of constructive dialogue with car manufacturers. The willingness of some leading manufacturers to change their production and bring safer models to the market is very welcome and demonstrates the benefits of Latin NCAPs efforts to raise consumer awareness of the safety performance of cars being sold in the region.
Carlos Macaya FIA Foundation Trustee and member of the Latin NCP Steering Committee, said:
“Now that Latin NCAP is in its third year, we are starting to see some real benefits in terms of improved road safety for Latin America. Latin NCAP is proving its worth. There are now more four star cars entering the market and the message is clear – much higher standards of vehicle safety are not only perfectly possible, but absolutely crucial across the region. The upward trend in safety must continue. We cannot tolerate anything less as lives depend on it.”
YOUTUBE
