MEDIA RELEASE
17 July 2009, embargoed 11am
HYUNDAI VAN & PEOPLE MOVERS GAIN 4-STAR SAFETY
RATINGS
Australia’s fleet managers have been urged to ensure safety as a top priority in their
purchasing policies, following
the announcement today
of two more 4-star safety
rated commercial vehicles by
the Australasian New Car Assessment Program
(ANCAP).
ANCAP, Australia’s leading independent vehicle safety advocate, announced the 4-
star ratings for the Hyundai iMax people mover and iLoad van in Sydney today.
The two Hyundai vehicles
were awarded the 4-star rating following a crash test
conducted at the South Korean Government testing facility, KATRI, under ANCAP
protocols and supervision.
ANCAP Program Manager, Michael Case, who oversaw the Korean tests,
welcomed the results
and acknowledged Hyundai’s efforts to produce safer
commercial vehicles.
“ANCAP is seeing mixed
safety performance
in its recent crash
tests of van-style
vehicles and the Hyundai results are good to see, given the importance of light
commercial vehicles in
transporting goods and people in and around Australia.
These vans are the drivers of Australian small business
and occupants should be
afforded the same levels of safety as private cars,” Mr Case said.
“Hyundai has put considerable effort into improving the safety of its vehicles and the
ANCAP results reflect that effort. Occupant safety should be an important
consideration for fleet managers
who no longer have any excuse to buy 3-star
vehicles or worse.
“Of the seven box-style vans now rated by ANCAP, three earn a 4-star rating –
the
iLoad, the Mercedes Vito and the VW Transporter. The best-selling Toyota Hi-Ace
has a 3-star ANCAP rating.
2
“No commercial vehicles currently have a 5-star rating, which requires excellent
crash protection plus head-protecting side airbags and electronic stability control.”
Dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic brake distribution (EBD)
are standard on both the iLoad and the iMax. Electronic stability control is standard
on the iMax, while the iLoad has ESC standard in New Zealand but is optional on
the Australian market.
The vehicle held its shape well in the offset crash test except that the dash structure
started to break away from the a-pillar. Chest protection was weak for the driver and
leg protection was marginal for both driver and passenger.
The 64km/h frontal offset crash test was conducted in South Korea under ANCAP
supervision –
the results apply to front occupant protection for both the iLoad and
the iMax.
"ANCAP noted the iLoad van has a centre front seat that has a two-point seat belt
and lacks the protection of an air bag, offering inferior protection compared to the
other front passenger seat"
ANCAP recorded a disappointing pedestrian protection rating
for the iLoad of 1 star
out of 4.
For a full list of ANCAP’s vehicle safety ratings, including more commercial vehicles,
by all Australian and New Zealand motoring clubs, all Australian state governments,
the New Zealand government, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA
Insurance and the FIA Foundation.
* * * * * * *
Contact:
Allan Yates
ANCAP
0421 150 229
NEWS 
