Cars that have scored poorly in crash testing will come under serious scrutiny from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) as it pressures car makers to increase safety features over the next five years.
The ANCAP awards a maximum five-star rating to vehicles that offer good protection for occupants in a crash, right down to one star for poor protection that is likely to cause serious injuries to occupants. Cars that score 1, 2 or 3 stars shall be specifically targeted to improve their occupant / pedestrian and roof strength and safety.
Part of ANCAP’s program is to make audible and visual seat belt reminders for front-seat passengers compulsory in all cars and will lobby manufacturers to build more ‘safety assist technologies’ in standard equipped cars – such as blind spot warning, lane assist and automated emergency braking.
Of the 399 current cars listed on ANCAP’s website, only 186 have received the maximum 5-star crash rating while 58 vehicles scored 3 stars or less. Some cars on the list are no longer the current model and have been superseded by safer models with revised star ratings.
China, India and Malaysia have passenger vehicles currently on the Australian market that have 2 or less safety stars . These include Great Wall Motors’ SA220 and V240 2-stars, Chery’s J11 2-stars and J1 3-stars, Mahindra’s Pik-Up 2-stars, Proton’s S16 2-stars and Jumbuck 1-star and Mitsubishi Express 1 star. SUV and transport vehicles, Nissan Patrol, Toyota LandCruiser 70-Series, Nissan Navara D22, Suzuki APV, Ssangyong Actyon and Ford Transit – all with 3-stars.