New Crash Test Program for South East Asia

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) today congratulated the Malaysian Government on the establishment of a New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) for the South East Asian region - ASEAN NCAP.

Since the establishment of the world's first NCAP in the United States in 1979, NCAPs have been formed around the world covering Australasia, China, Europe, Japan and Korea. As part of the United Nations' Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011-2020), an overarching body, Global NCAP, was established with one of its initiatives being to expand NCAPs into emerging markets. As a result, Latin NCAP was established in 2010 and today we welcome ASEAN NCAP.

Lead by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), ASEAN NCAP has been established to elevate motor vehicle safety standards; encourage a market for safer vehicles; and raise consumer awareness in the South East Asian region. Over the past two years ANCAP has been assisting with the establishment of ASEAN NCAP, providing technical and program support and advice to MIROS to ensure the ASEAN program pursues protocols and procedures that will provide meaningful, accurate and repeatable test results. This guidance has assisted ASEAN NCAP in aligning with the other established NCAPs around the world and ANCAP will continue to mentor MIROS over the coming years as its crash testing program develops.

"Whilst we find it difficult to accept the number of deaths that occur on Australian roads - just over 1300 last year - the Malaysian road toll stands at close to 7000. This equates to around 25 deaths per 100,000 people which is more than quadruple the Australian road toll,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Mr Nicholas Clarke.

"The establishment of ASEAN NCAP has already proved its worth with the decision by one manufacturer to introduce airbags into one of its models which is currently supplied in the South East Asian market without airbags," Mr Clarke added.

"The implementation of ASEAN NCAP within the South East Asian region will help reduce this substantial and unnecessary loss of life through the introduction of safer vehicles."

ASEAN NCAP was officially launched as part of Automotive Safety Week 2012 which was held in conjunction with the inaugural Global NCAP Annual Meeting in Malacca, Malaysia from 22-25 May 2012. The culminating feature of the week-long event was the inaugural crash test conducted at the brand new, purpose-built MIROS PC3 Crash Lab.

ANCAP is supported by all Australian and New Zealand motoring clubs, the Australian Government, the New Zealand Government, all Australian state governments, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.

For a full list of ANCAP safety ratings and model specifications, and vehicle safety information visit ancap.com.au.