News24 | SA’s most popular Chinese car brand gets two-star safety rating

The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro has scored a two-star safety rating in the Global NCAP safety crash test.

• The latest Global NCAP crash test results have been revealed for a popular Chinese brand.
  
• The Chery Tiggo 7 is the latest model to come under scrutiny by the Automobile Association of South Africa.
  
• Like the Toyota Corolla Cross recently, the Chery also received a two-star safety rating.
  

Following Toyota’s Corolla Cross two-star rating, revealed earlier in January, Chinese automaker Chery is the latest brand to come under the Automobile Association’s attention after a low score on adult occupant protection.

Hyundai made headlines at the end of last year when its Grand i10 scored a zero safety rating in the Global NCAP crash test results, while Toyota scored a two-star rating, as revealed earlier in January.

News24 readers had asked, “What about Chinese cars?” Coincidentally, the latest #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign crash test results from Global NCAP have revealed that the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro has received a two-star rating for adult occupant protection, due to the absence of standard side head protection for front and rear occupants, and the Automobile Association (AA) has expressed concern.

According to the latest NCAP findings, child occupant protection was rated at three stars. However, the Child Restraint System (CRS) failed the installation test in all front-rearward-facing positions because the vehicle lacks the option to deactivate the passenger airbag when a rearward-facing child seat is installed in the passenger seat.

According to the AA, these findings relate to the entry-level models in the Tiggo 7 range currently on sale in South Africa. Tested by Global NCAP is the previous-generation Tiggo 7 Pro Distinction (currently on sale locally). It’s worth noting that the current-generation Tiggo 7 Prime, the entry-point into the current-generation range, lacks the same highlighted safety features as the Tiggo 7 Pro Distinction.

The results clearly demonstrate shortcomings in the level of standard safety provided to adults in these models sold across African markets, including South Africa.

What the crash test revealed

Global NCAP’s assessment exposed several findings in the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro safety performance testing:

• The footwell area and bodyshell were found to be unstable and incapable of withstanding further loading.
• Side pole impact was not performed because the car does not offer standard side head protection for the front and rear rows (the lack of this protection exposes the head to the risk of severe injury even in a low-speed side impact with a pole or tree).
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) was standard, as were Seat Belt Reminders (SBRs) in all positions, although these did not meet Global NCAP requirements.

The NCAP crash test would have taken place in the last six months, but the automaker said it constantly updates its products.

Chery SA repsonds
Chery South Africa told News24 that its product range was constantly evolving to meet increased market requirements.

“With the recent foray into markets like the UK and Australia, the product range is continuously being reviewed to ensure conformity to regulatory standards across the globe,” it said.

“Models on offer in right-hand drive markets have been tailored to meet local consumer requirements. How we do this is by way of introducing specification changes and upgrades on a yearly basis. Recent model year versions of our products that have undergone testing have met 5-star NCAP requirements in their respective markets.”

The automaker added: “Chery SA is committed to our product offering meeting local and global regulatory safety requirements.”

Global NCAP noted Chery SA’s recent dual-vehicle collision test, which saw two Chery Tiggo 9 SUVs collide in a 50% offset head-on impact at 50km/h in South Africa last year. However, these results and findings are not recognised by Global NCAP. The AA encourages consumers to look for market-specific NCAP test results, conducted in an NCAP environment, and taking into account NCAP-specific testing criteria and parameters.

ALSO WATCH | ALSO WATCH | Toyota’s popular Corolla Cross gets two-star safety rating, AA CEO raises concerns

AA chief executive officer Bobby Ramagwede said: “We have been asked repeatedly by the local consumer to start testing Chinese vehicle brands for local NCAP safety ratings. These latest results highlight two key areas: a continuing pattern in which vehicles sold in Africa do not offer the same safety standards as other regions, alongside a heightened campaign to avoid disclosing to the local consumer the broader safety picture across a specific vehicle range.

“We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again, South African motorists deserve better, irrespective of the source or price point of a vehicle, with this two-star rating reinforcing the urgent need for all manufacturers to commit to equal safety for all markets. This result underlines why Africa urgently needs stronger regulatory standards and greater manufacturer accountability.

“The AA believes no vehicle should be sold locally without side head protection for front and rear rows. Safety should never be an optional extra, and indeed not reserved for markets outside Africa.”