Disappointing ANCAP results

Nissan's K13 Micra has scored the top results in the most recent round of crash testing by the Australasian New Car Assessment program (ANCAP) — with four stars.

The other cars tested in the same batch were the Geely MK (three stars) and the Mahindra Pik-Up (two stars). ANCAP issued a press release yesterday revealing the results for the three vehicles and strongly recommending buyers ascertain the safety rating of any new-car purchase before making a deal.

“These results show that, while we are seeing an increasing number of five-star vehicles in Australia, there are still new cars coming onto the market with considerably lower ratings, which provide less crash protection for drivers and passengers,” said ANCAP Chair, Lauchlan McIntosh.

A light-segment car, the Micra impact protection in this test is overshadowed by recent five-star results for the new Holden Barina, Hyundai's significantly larger Accent, the Honda Jazz and the Suzuki Swift — all tested recently by ANCAP and all selling in the same market segment.

The Geely is practically unknown on the east coast and doesn't figure in national VFACTS sales data, but has been selling in Perth through the retailer and distributor, John Hughes. Like the Chery J1 the Geely MK hails from China and can't sell in Victoria without standard stability control, but it is priced to undercut direct rivals from Japan and Korea.

The Mahindra, a commercial vehicle from India, is only under-performed by the Proton Jumbuck (pictured), which was tested by ANCAP last year and determined to be a one-star car for crash safety. All other light commercial vehicles tested in recent times have rated three stars or better. Increasingly fleet operators are being encouraged to buy the safest vehicle they can for their employees, who spend up to eight hours a day in the vehicle and potentially put their lives at risk over much longer periods than typical passenger-car drivers.

One thing the three cars tested have in common is pricing, which tends to be at the lower end of the spectrum in each respective market segment. McIntosh, recognising this point, argues that buyers need to look carefully at what a new car has to offer in safety terms — and not just be taken in by an affordable price.

“While motorists have a wide range of models available at different pricing points – and at different safety levels irrespective of price – the ANCAP safety assessment is a vital and valuable aid in the selection of a new car,” he stated.

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