Holden and Toyota Crash Test Stand-Off

[BadMac]

From www.drive.com.au

Holden and Toyota are refusing to supply Commodores and Aurions for independent scrutiny.

In a major snub to the Australian New Car Assessment Program, the independent crash test scheme, Toyota and Holden have both refused an opportunity for their large Aurion and Commodore sedans to become the first Australian made vehicles to carry the maximum five-star safety rating.

ANCAP has completed initial testing, for front and side impact protection, on Aurion and Commodore, using four cars bought with its own funds.

It is now asking Toyota and Holden each to supply a third car and pay for the final stage of the tests, which involve another side impact, this time against a pole rather than another (simulated) vehicle.

Read the rest here
http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=38523&vf=12

[moose]

Interesting decison, but i suppose it's a bit like when you know you've just done a great job on something, and some guy comes up and tells you how nice it looks. Holden does all this testing and more, all to standards and beyond.
There's obviously some politics behind the decision.

[Invasionss]

Does it make you think what are they hiding?

[planetdavo]

Holden has said for a LONG time that the NCAP tests are leading to car manufacturers making cars that meet the 5 star NCAP criterior, not the safest possible alternatives as identified by manufacturers from "real world" scenarios, particularly with Holden's extensive research with Monash University.
5 star NCAPS makes them look fantastic in the news, but not necessarily the best that the manufacturer can make.
Good on them for making a stand I say.

[Marco]

If ANCAP wants to go around crash testing cars, why should the manufacturers cough up the cost? Buy some more cars and get on with it!

[emg]

oh whinge whinge f**kin whinge!

[Jac001]

from the link

"Meanwhile, the US Department of Transportation has now legislated for the compulsory display of NCAP test results, including star ratings, on a label to be attached to all new cars from September 1 this year."

Are the NCAP tests/ rating the same? Won't holden end up having to do this test in the US for its G8 anyway?

[michaels1v8]

If ANCAP wants to go around crash testing cars, why should the manufacturers cough up the cost? Buy some more cars and get on with it!

Agreed sounds pretty stupid. Think I might hit holden up for some testing of my own if they decide to give them out:jester:

[JEM]

The 'pole' test has always been optional and always required the manufacturer's to pay for it if they want to go for the 5 star by earning more points that this test provides.

Why Drive.com.au would say thay are "refusing" i don't know, it's simply that they have not opted to go for it which most Aus manufacturer's have done in the past. Ford decided to supply a Territory for the optional pole test last time around, that's why it got so close to a 5 star.

There are some other reasons, but i can't go there.