South African Crash Test for Dummies

The Steed 5 pickup, Haval H1 five-door SUV, and the Renault Kwid five-door compact, all achieved poor levels of adult and child protection in crash tests conducted by Global NCAP and AA South Africa yesterday.

The Global New Car Assessment Program, or Global NCAP, inspires cooperation among new car evaluation programs, promotes the UN’s motor vehicle safety standards, and aims for a world without traffic fatalities or serious injuries. They hope to have all new cars exceeding UN crash test standards, and they also encourage the sale of more environmentally-friendly vehicles.

Most notably, the zero star-rated Steed 5 from China’s Great Wall demonstrated a high probability of life threatening injury. Alejandro Furas, Global NCAP Secretary General said, “A zero star rating causes serious concern in our crash test results. There is the potential for a life threatening injury.”

Willem Groenewald, AA South Africa CEO said, “Since the Safer Cars For Africa program originated, we’ve pleaded for safety standards improvements. We cannot have unsafe cars on our roads. We are eager to see action taken now to protect South African citizens.”

Great Wall Steed 5

Pickups are a popular African vehicle category, and Global NCAP selected the Great Wall Steed 5, which competes with the Nissan Hardbody in this segment. The Steed 5 base version without airbags was tested, and driver dummy readings indicated poor head and weak neck and chest protection, all critical body parts. As the structure and footwell area became unstable, passenger compartment deformation and steering column movement question whether an airbag would prevent serious injuries. Great Wall declined to use a Child Restraint System (CRS), and zero points were awarded for child occupant safety. The Steed 5 was without ISOFIX rear child seat anchors, or any three-point belts.

Renault Kwid

In Africa, the Kwid that was tested was manufactured in China, with two standard airbags. Protection to the driver’s head was adequate and good for the passengers. Their necks showed good protection, but the driver’s chest indicated weak protection. The unstable body and footwell structures and pedal movement are the reasons for a two-star adult occupant protection rating. With the head contacting the car’s interior and bouncing around, a lack of ISOFIX anchors, or three-point belts, the Kwid’s child occupant protection received only two stars.

Haval H1

Part of a new vehicle segment of small SUVs, the Haval H1 offers two airbags. Injuries recorded in the driver and passenger head and neck areas showed good protection, while the driver’s chest showed weak protection and the passenger’s chest was good. Feet had poor protection, and together with the driver readings, the unstable structure and footwell area explain the two-star adult occupant protection rating.

Child occupant protection was negatively affected because the manufacturer refused to use a CRS in the test, dropping dynamic points to zero. Both child dummies’ heads contacted the car during the test, threatening their safety. Lack of proper ISOFIX markings and a passenger airbag disabling switch resulted in the H1’s two-star child occupant protection rating.

Over the last 15 years, road safety has emerged as a significant global public policy issue. The and the World Bank warned that traffic injuries constitute a major public health and development crisis. The United Nations General Assembly asked the World Health Organization (WHO) to take charge of the UN Road Safety Collaboration (UNRSC). By 2030, UNRSC’s objective is to provide safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transportation systems, and improve road safety through the expansion of public transportation.

[Images: Global NCAP]