17 Feb 2011

ANCAP Road Map to set safety bar higher

ANCAP launched its 2011-2015 Road Map following consultation with members and stakeholders, overseas NCAP organisations, the Australian automotive industry’s strong text peak body, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, and the NZ Motor Industry Association.

The new ANCAP star ratings will require minimum performance levels for pedestrian safety, whiplash protection and roof strength as part of the rating process.

In addition, the new rating system will encourage life-saving safety assist technologies such as head protecting side airbags, seat belt reminders, electronic stability control, daytime running lights and emergency brake assist.

ANCAP Chairman, Lauchlan McIntosh, said the Road Map is part of a continuing process by ANCAP to encourage early introduction of vehicle safety features into manufacturers’ production processes, and to help consumers understand the valuable benefits of the star ratings.

“These safety features will make cars safer for Australian motorists and their families, as manufacturers demonstrate their capability to place high ANCAP-rated vehicles onto the market” Mr McIntosh said.

“The ANCAP Road Map incorporates some of the recent changes introduced by EuroNCAP. ANCAP is also working with its crash testing colleagues in Japan, Korea, China, USA and Malaysia to further improve vehicle safety around the world.”

Mr McIntosh said the Road Map release further enforces ANCAP’s role as the independent vehicle safety advocate in Australia and New Zealand.

“We have increasing industry promotion of the ANCAP ratings in advertising campaigns, the mandating of Electronic Stability Control by the Federal Government, and the recent partnership with the Commonwealth to increase the number of models receiving ANCAP ratings and the level of research into vehicle safety,” he said.

“We will continue to work closely with governments, industry and the media to promote vehicle safety and the crash test ratings to new car buyers, and we look forward to further collaboration with many stakeholders on safety project and activities.”

For a full list of ANCAP’s vehicle safety ratings, including more commercial vehicles, and other vehicle safety information, go to ancap.com.au. ANCAP is supported by all Australian and New Zealand motoring clubs, the Australian and New Zealand governments, all Australian state governments, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.

For a copy of the ANCAP Road Map, please contact ANCAP Business Manager, Nicholas Clarke.

Media Contact
Nicholas Clarke
Chief Executive Officer
+61 2 6232 0232