GAC Emzoom seatbelt pretensioners return after safety concerns

GAC has confirmed seatbelt pretensioners and rear seatbelt reminder systems will be reinstated on Australian versions of its new entry-level Emzoom Premium SUV, following criticism over their removal from the local specification.

Vehicles built for the Australian market from Model Year 2027 production will include the features, with updated stock expected to arrive from November.

GAC launched the Emzoom Premium as a lower-cost alternative to its existing Luxury variant, reducing the drive-away price to $22,990 and positioning it among Australia's most affordable SUVs.

To achieve the lower asking price, the Chinese manufacturer cut a range of equipment from the new base model. Along with comfort and convenience features such as the panoramic sunroof, several safety-related items were also removed, including seatbelt pretensioners and rear seatbelt reminder systems.

The decision attracted attention from road safety advocates, with ANCAP questioning the removal of technology that has long been commonplace across the automotive industry.

Seatbelt pretensioners are designed to tighten the seatbelt almost instantly during a crash, helping to reduce occupant movement before the full force of an impact is experienced.

While the Premium retained load-limiting functions within its seatbelts, the absence of pretensioners drew criticism given their widespread use in modern passenger vehicles.

GAC Australia said the omission stemmed from the specifications used in some overseas markets, where the entry-level Emzoom is sold without the equipment. However, the company has since worked with its global parent organisation to reinstate both features for Australia.

The Emzoom Premium will still arrive with some equipment reductions compared with higher grades.

A surround-view camera has been replaced by a standard reversing camera, front parking sensors have been removed, the number of rear parking sensors has been reduced, and the rear wiper has been deleted.

The first Emzoom Premium vehicles scheduled to reach Australian dealerships from early September will be delivered without the reinstated safety features.

However, buyers taking delivery of vehicles produced from Model Year 2027 onwards should receive both seatbelt pretensioners and rear seatbelt reminder systems, with updated examples expected to begin arriving from November.

ANCAP has not indicated whether it will conduct independent testing of the Emzoom, though the model remains eligible for assessment in the future.

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