The Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP), is reporting a two-star safety rating for the Great Wall Steed double cab petrol utility.
AA Motoring Services general manager Stella Stocks says if the price is a key factor for those looking to buy a Ute, they’d be better off buying a second-hand one with a better safety rating.
“While Great Wall Motors has added safety assist technology not available on its earlier offering to the market, the Steed’s structural integrity is a step back in time,” says Stocks.
“In new car’s today we expect to see a very high standard of occupant protection during a crash test. However, the Steed doesn’t come close to meeting that expectation,” she says.
Lower and upper leg injury was likely in a crash due to excessive foot well deformation, pedal displacement and separation of foot well panels. Also, steering column components were a potential source of the knee injury for the driver while dash components could cause harm to both driver and passenger.
“Manufacturers need to do more than just go through the motions of improving safety. While it’s great to see important technology like electronic stability control and curtain airbags, included on the Steed, cabin integrity also needs to be good,” says Stocks.
“For the same money, buyers should consider second-hand options build by brands that put safety first,” says Stocks.
Great Wall Motors says it is disappointed by the performance of the new Steed in ANCAP testing.
Spokesperson Andrew Ellis says the company is taking immediate steps to see what can be done to rectify the situation.
“We have sent all the data to our engineering team in head office and set up a response team to investigate what needs to be done to improve the ANCAP performance of our product. “
Ellis says safety is a priority in the company’s product planning, which is why ESC and six airbags have been made standard features across the range.
“We thought the additional safety features would help improve the Steed’s ANCAP rating. It’s clear to everyone in the organisation our ANCAP test standards need a dramatic improvement.”
All the Australian motoring clubs, the New Zealand Automobile Association, the Australian Government, the New Zealand Government, Australian state and territory governments, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation are supporting ANCAP.
The full list of ANCAP’s vehicle safety ratings, other vehicle safety information and the specifications of the rated cars are available online at rightcar.govt.nz.
