Child-safety fix for Navara

Nissan's NP300 Navara has received the tick of approval from ANCAP, but only after a last-minute change to the webbing loop for the vehicle's top-tether child-safety seat anchorage points.

ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Programme) originally found the Navara's child-safety seat anchorage arrangement didn't meet the required standard, so withheld the results at Nissan's request until a remedy could be found.

A subsequent test has revealed that the Navara is now five-star safe, which covers child safety as well. The rating applies to all models of Navara, including the dual-cab models that are configured for child safety seats. ANCAP has hailed the delayed result as vindication of its role as a safety gatekeeper for the automotive industry and consumers.

"In an example of the importance of independent crash testing, in the initial test of the Navara dual cab, ANCAP identified a failure of the webbing loop which routes the child restraint top tether. The rating was therefore withheld until a satisfactory remedy was developed," Nicholas Clarke, ANCAP CEO, was quoted saying in a press release.

"Nissan developed an improved design of the webbing loop and ANCAP conducted a satisfactory follow-up crash test. ANCAP has been advised that all affected Navara models have been upgraded with the improved top tether routing.

"Without ANCAP's independent, expert testing, consumers would be none the wiser as to the performance of vital safety aspects of today's new cars."