ANCAP negotiates crash tests for US pick-up trucks

Popular and controversial full-size pick-ups sold in Australia including the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, RAM 1500 and forthcoming Toyota Tundra could still be subject to crash testing by the vehicle safety rating agency ANCAP.

ANCAP has targeted the US trucks as part of an expansion of its testing capabilities that will also include light and heavy trucks.

But until now, as reported by carsales in September, ANCAP had intended to test only active driver assist systems (ADAS) and vulnerable road user protection.

However, negotiations have started with the various brands about getting involved with an ANCAP crash testing program.

“We are having those conversations with them,” confirmed ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg.

“Some of them might be very interested if they think they might do well.

“It’s a conversation around what are we going to see from that [testing], how are we going to test them and what are we going to cover.

“There is a lot of detail around that to work through.”

Hoorweg was speaking at a media conference yesterday (November 22] to mark the 30th anniversary of ANCAP’s first published crash test program in 1993. The same day a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed for continued cooperation with safety testing partner Euro NCAP.

An ANCAP testing program would involve the donation by the brands of up to six vehicles each to conduct a full ANCAP crash testing program. The retail cost of the vehicles would add up to more than $600,000.

Testing will take place in 2024 with results expected to be published in early 2025.

ANCAP is close to ruling out conducting such a program without the involvement of the brands because of the cost of purchasing the number of vehicles involved.

“Could we do a full suite of testing? For the sales volume versus the cost of testing and the cost of the vehicles, that is something we would have to have a pretty strong business case to go down that path,” said Hoorweg.

If the brands do choose to get involved in a crash testing program the vehicles would be rated out of the traditional five stars based on the normal four testing channels.

But if the negotiations are not successful and the tests are restricted to ADAS and vulnerable road user protection then the pick-ups would be colour graded platinum, gold, silver or bronze as commercial vans are now.

The top-selling RAM 1500 is distributed locally by independent RAM Trucks Australia. The Silverado is distributed by General Motors-owned GMSV and the F-150 by Ford Australia. The Tundra will be distributed by Toyota Australia.

All four are converted in Australia to right-hand drive and have full Australian Design Rule compliance.

While proving very popular in terms of sales, the full-size pick-ups have come in for a significant amount of media attention and criticism because of their 6.0 metre length and 2.5 tonne kerb weight.

Hoorweg argued their size was one reason ANCAP could justifiably put aside crash testing for these vehicles, as the vast majority of injuries related to them occur outside the vehicle.

“There is an element of what are we going to learn from it [crash testing]? What information are we going to be able to provide?” Hoorweg said. “That’s what we are working through at the moment.

“Which of the tests would actually provide useful information. Obviously, as something gets bigger and heavier its performance is going to be different, so we are not expecting to see potentially a lot of occupant injury.

“We want all vehicles that are big… to have ADAS. To have the ability to stop, to have the ability to avoid crashes with other road users … so the focus is much more in that space than are the occupants going to be injured.”

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