Global NCAP has launched a new #SaferCarsForAfrica crash test result in partnership with AA South Africa and with the welcome support of the FIA Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies.
In a result released recently, the India manufactured Mahindra XUV300 became Global NCAP’s first five star car in Africa.
As claimed by Global NCAP, the XUV300 achieved a five star rating for the Indian market in 2020. Global NCAP’s Indian and African programmes share the same assessment protocols and following a production compliance review, the rating has been confirmed for the model’s roll out in Africa
One of the criteria used is Adult Occupant safety. In the assessors’ view, the protection offered to the driver and passenger’s head and neck was good.
“Driver’s chest,” it states, “showed adequate protection while passenger’s chest received good protection. The bodyshell was rated as stable and it was capable of withstanding further loadings. Footwell area was rated as stable. Side impact Regulation UN95: the car met technical requirements of regulation UN95 as standard. The vehicle has standard SBR for driver and passenger. The car has standard ABS.”
On Child Occupant’s safety, Global NCAP recons the child seat for the 3 year old was able to prevent excessive forward movement during the impact offering fair protection to the chest.
“The 18 month old CRS,” it says, “was installed with ISOFIX and support leg and protection offered to the 1.5 year old dummy was good. The vehicle offers standard ISOFIX and top tether anchorages in the 2 outboard rear seats and does not offer 3 point belts in all seating positions. The car offers passenger airbag disconnection switch in case a rear facing CRS needs to be installed in the front passenger seat.”
David Ward, Towards Zero Foundation President expressed delight to see the first five star result in the foundation’s Safer Cars for Africa project.
He enthused: “This is a landmark moment for vehicle safety in Africa. We are particularly pleased to recognise the continued safety commitment from Mahindra. The XUV300 was engineered in India and demonstrates the capability of the domestic Indian auto industry to achieve excellence in safety design and performance for global export markets.”
On the other hand, Willem Groenewald, AA South Africa CEO described the rating result as a milestone event for the #SaferCarsforAfrica project.
“The result,” he pointed out, “signals that it is possible to achieve this excellent rating for vehicles in our market. We are particularly pleased that this rating has been achieved through a compliance review. We applaud the fact that there is a reasonably priced five star vehicle available in Africa which gives consumers a safe choice when purchasing a new car.”
Launched in 2011, Global NCAP is a programme of the UK registered charity the Towards Zero Foundation. Global NCAP serves as a platform for cooperation among NCAPs worldwide, providing financial, technical and advocacy support to new programmes in emerging markets.
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