A three-star safety rating has been given the Chinese-made LDV G10 commercial van and people mover by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).
It’s the second LDV model tested by ANCAP to offer a below-par level of structural safety and safety specification.
“This is a disappointing result for LDV and consumers with commercial buyers and families being let down in an important segment,” ANCAP chief executive officer James Goodwin says.
“There were a number of serious concerns with the G10’s structural performance with the driver foot-well rupturing and excessive pedal movement. Steering column and dash components were also a potential source of knee injury for the driver and passenger,” he says.
“The G10 also lacks important safety features such as head and chest-protecting side airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners, which consumers today expect to be provided as standard – particularly in a vehicle which can carry up to nine passengers.”
Goodwin says passenger and commercial van safety standards remain well below those offered in other segments with 67% of vans tested by ANCAP rating four stars or less.
“So we urge all brands to ensure an emphasis on safety carries across all market segments,” he says.
The three-star rating for the LDV G10 applies to all petrol and diesel van and people mover variants sold in Australia and New Zealand from mid-2015.
