MEDIA RELEASE
6am AEST 11 June 2009
AUSTRALIANS DENIED LIFE-SAVING TECHNOLOGIES
IN LATEST CRASH TEST RATINGS
Australians are being short-changed when it comes to safety features on overseas
manufactured vehicles, according to Australia’s leading independent vehicle safety
advocate, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).
In the latest round of safety ratings, ANCAP Chair Lauchlan McIntosh highlighted the fact
the Honda Jazz and Kia Soul had missed out on 5-star ANCAP ratings because they lack
potentially life-saving technologies that are available on equivalent models in Europe.
“Both models come with electronic stability control (ESC) and intelligent seat belt reminders
for all seats in Europe - yet ESC is not available on any Jazz in Australia and the base
model only has a driver seat belt reminder,” Mr McIntosh said today.
“The Australian Soul only has a driver seat belt reminder and the base model does not have
ESC. In contrast, the New Zealand Kia Soul has all these features and earns the top 5-star
rating from ANCAP.”
ANCAP also announced the Audi Q5 and Skoda Superb earned 5-star ratings, based on
crash tests conducted by EuroNCAP.
The Kia Cerato and Suzuki Alto achieved 4-star ratings, which is disappointing for new
models. Both models have impressive safety features but need more work on leg protection
to reach the increasingly coveted 5-star rating. Both the Cerato and the Alto also lack seat
belt reminders for the front and rear passengers.
“Despite generally high seat belt wearing rates in Australia, passengers without seat belts
are over-represented in road fatalities and this simple device is a very effective
countermeasure,” Mr McIntosh said.
“There are now plenty of choices for 5-star safety for small cars in Australia, with several
models costing less than $20,000. It is regrettable that these latest results have not added
to that list.”
For a full list of ANCAP’s vehicle safety ratings and other vehicle safety information, go to
clubs, all Australian state governments, the New Zealand government, the Victorian
Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.
Contact:
Lauchlan McIntosh
ANCAP Chair
0418 424 886
Allan Yates
ANCAP
0421 150 229
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