KAJANG: In urging automakers to offer safer cars, Asean NCAP’s crash tests will use only entry-level or cheapest car variants from January 1, 2017.
This will be a departure from the current practise where different car models are tested and graded, including the most highly equipped or expensive variants.
“We want to push automakers to have better safety equipment and features in all their cars, especially the cheapest models,” said Asean NCAP secretary-general Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim.
Asean NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme for Southeast Asia) is a collaboration, set up in December 2011, between the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) and Global NCAP.
It aims to elevate vehicle safety standards, and raise consumer awareness.
It has a vehicle safety rating scheme with two separate assessments, namely Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) by star-rating and Child Occupant Protection (COP) by percentage-based rating.
At a recent media briefing at the MIROS office in Kajang, Khairil said Asean NCAP’s annual funding of about RM1 million comes from the FIA Foundation for the Automobile and Society, which is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.
“The money is to buy cars for crash testing, and other operational expenses.”
According to Khairil, Asean NCAP has crashed 40 cars in the last four years, out of which 10 cars were bought and the balance, provided by automakers.
“This means we have covered 10% of the estimated 400 car models in the region,” he said.
Asean NCAP secretary-general Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim.
Regarding the purchase of cars for crash tests at a facility in Malacca, Khairil recalled an amusing case.
“Of course, we do not hide the reason in buying the car – which is to crash it. However, there was one case where the sale was cancelled. Our cheque was returned, after we told them we were going to crash their car.”
Khairil also noted that in recent years, many automakers in the region have been more generous with vehicle safety features and innovations.
“For example, late last year, the third-generation Nissan Teana was the first car to score full points in the AOP. The Teana was also the first car to score a maximum five-star rating in COP, with 88% compliance.”
The Teana model which was crash tested in Malacca was a 2.0XL variant, provided by Nissan Thailand.
It should be noted that all three Malaysian-assembled Teana variants share similar safety features, including six SRS airbags, VDC (vehicle dynamic control) and TCS (traction control system), as well as AUC (active understeer control), ABS (anti-locking braking system), EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution), BA (brake assist) and HSA (hill start assist).
Other safety features include a LED high mounted rear stop lamp, ISOFIX child seat points, front seat belts with load limiters and pre-tensioners, and three-point ELRs (emergency locking restraints).
Khairil recalled that he was shocked at the Teana’s crash test results.
“It is very tough to score maximum points, even for some premium European brands.”
The Teana obtained the full 16 points for AOP, due partly to its VDC technology, also known as ESC (electronic stability control) which is a standard fit on all Asean variants.
Under Asean NCAP’s scoring system, only cars fitted with ESC and SBR (seatbelt reminder) will be considered for a five-star rating.
Cars that scored in the five-star range but missing either ESC or SBR, or both, will be relegated to a four-star rating.
Keyword: Nissan Teana sets safety benchmark