Peugeot And Fiat Make Progress On Safety But Chevy Disappoints
The first results in the fifth phase of crash testing by Latin NCAP show some encouraging progress by Peugeot and FIAT although the performance of General Motor’s Chevrolet brand remains disappointing.
Alejandro Furas, Secretary General, Latin NCAP, said: “It is encouraging to see manufacturers bringing newer and safer platforms to the region. However the same models sell cheaper in Europe and with higher equipment levels than in Latin America. The lack of UN regulations as a mandatory requirement for local markets is a major concern. We hope industry will be more supportive of governments wishing to apply UN regulations that will benefit all Latin American consumers. Child Occupant protection is still a major problem that governments need to address again by encouraging use of UN global standards.”
The Peugeot 208 achieved four stars for adults and three stars for child occupant protection. The structure of the car performed well and was rated as stable. This reflects a more modern generation body structure which is very welcome. However its basic safety equipment was less well specified than the European basic version of the car. ESC, side airbags, ISOFIX and passenger airbag disconnection switch are not present in the Latin American basic model. Latin NCAP, therefore, encourages PSA to further improve the 208 to a five star level given that the basic body shell now offers good performance during the crash.
The Fiat New Palio achieved three stars for adults and two stars for child occupant protection. A non-air bag version of the model was also tested with a zero star result. However, in May FIAT stopped all production of the New Palio without airbags. Latin NCAP congratulates FIAT on its decision to make airbags standard on this model which brings a much needed improvement in occupant protection. Latin NCAP, also encourages FIAT to make further progress towards five star levels of safety in adult and child occupant protection by providing ISOFIX anchorages, three point belts in all seating positions among other improvements needed.
The Chevrolet Spark (without airbags) scored zero stars in adult occupant protection and two stars in the Child occupant protection. As a result of this test both driver and passenger heads were red, meaning that protection offered was poor resulting in high probability of life threatening injuries. The lack of airbags in the Spark combined with an unstable body structure produces a poor result. It is disappointing that General Motors is not willing at least to follow FIAT’s example of stopping non-air bag production of this model for Latin America.
The Chevrolet Onix was rated three stars in adult occupant protection and two stars in the child occupant protection. Although the structure was rated as stable there was a rupture in the foot well area of the driver side. The lack of ISOFIX and three point seatbelts in all positions and the CRS performance contributed to a low child occupant score. Given that the ONIX is a new car based on a modern platform to only achieve three stars is unimpressive. Latin NCAP, therefore, encourages Chevrolet to raise their game and aim for five star performance rather than settle for their current disappointing results.
Videos of all the crash tests can be viewed on Latin NCAP’s Youtube channel.
Latin NCAP’s Tougher Assessment for Child Safety
This year Latin NCAP increased the stringency of its assessments for the Child occupant. A new child dummy technology (the Q dummy) is being used to represent children aged 3 years and 18 months. This change is a significant step forward for Latin NCAP. The new assessment will also check the capacity of car models to properly accommodate some CRS that are representative of the local market. It will be more stringent with the equipment in the car giving more points to ISOFIX anchorages and 3 points belts in all positions.
The use of the ISOFIX child restraint system plays a significant role in reducing the probability of wrong installation and generally improves 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 and R129 ‘enhanced CRS’ regulation.
Dialogue with Industry Promoting Progress
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 effort to promote safer cars and raise consumer awareness of the choices they face when buying a new car.
UN Regulations and the 2015 Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Brazil
Latin NCAP remains concerned at the lack in some national occupant protection regulations of performance criteria and requirements for conformity of production (CoP). Performance criteria, usually measured as injury levels on a crash test dummy regardless of which particular technology is applied. CoP requirements ensure that the safety performance of a model is maintained from their original approval and throughout their period of sale in the region’s markets.
These issues would be effectively tackled if countries across the region made greater use of the UN regulatory system for vehicle safety. In April the UN General Assembly adopted a road safety resolution encouraging all UN Member States to make greater use of these UN legal instruments. The same resolution agreed to hold a second Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety to be hosted by the Government of Brazil on November 18-19 2015. Latin NCAP warmly welcomes the decision of the Brazilian Government to host the Ministerial and hopes this important global meeting will encourage all the governments of Latin America to fully apply the most important UN vehicle safety standards such as Regulations 94 and 95 for front and side impact.
María Fernanda Rodríguez, President, Latin NCAP, said: “I got involved with vehicle safety to guarantee minimum safety levels to occupants, mainly children, who are the most vulnerable and ignored. I see some progress , but am still worried about children’s safety. There is still much more to do, if we want to reduce the number of injuries and deaths in our countries. Governments should be more active, demanding minimum safety United Nations regulations. Consumers should be more selective and demand equal safety standards as in other markets. It is really sad to keep seeing ZERO-star vehicles; I would not like to be in one of those cars.”
YOUTUBE
