Latin NCAP crash test procedures, standards, and results

Fleet Mobility Today

I learned a lot during my interview with Alejadro Furas, Executive Secretary for Global NCAP and Latin NCAP, New Car Assessment Programs aimed at conducting crash tests and publishing safety ratings for various countries. The focus of our talk was on Latin NCAP which is for the Latin America region.

Revolved around vehicle safety ratings, crash tests, and fleet management, it was an insightful overview of how safety testing is performed in Latin America, and how the region's challenges compare to other parts of the world.

Latin NCAP conducts performance-based evaluations which are focused on how well vehicles protect passengers and pedestrians during crashes, regardless of the number of airbags, vehicle size, or where the car was produced.

Star Ratings & Crash Tests:These ratings indicate a vehicle's safety performance, ranging from zero to five stars, with higher ratings reflecting better protection in crashes.

A five-star car offers strong protection, and while injuries might occur in crashes, they are unlikely to be life-threatening, according to Alejandro. "A zero-star car indicates a high probability of severe injuries or fatalities for both passengers and pedestrians," he said.

Alejandro Furas (handout)

Testing Procedure: Crash tests include frontal and side impacts, as well as side pole impacts. They evaluate occupant safety (adult and child), pedestrian safety, and safety assist features. The worst-performing category determines the overall star rating.

Latin NCAP buys vehicles in Latin America and exports them to Germany for crash testing, as Latin America currently lacks independent crash test labs.

Differences in Safety Standards: Cars sold in Latin America can perform worse than their counterpart in Europe or the U.S., according to Alejandro, even if they appear similar. These differences arise from variations in materials, reinforcements, and safety features, sometimes due to production issues or lack of oversight.

Road and Infrastructure Safety: Beyond vehicle safety, infrastructure and legislation play a key role in reducing accidents. Although infrastructure is out of their control, it is important for fleet managers to choose the safest routes as well as vehicles high safety ratings.

For example, in Sweden, despite having poor infrastructure and harsh weather, the country has a low fatality rate due to better vehicles and an emphasis on safety systems, said Alejandro.

Recent 2024 Crash Test Results:

Chevrolet Groove: Rated zero stars, despite being a bestselling SUV in Chile.

Chevrolet Montana: Small pickup with three stars, praised for its six airbags but lacked advanced safety technologies like autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

Hyundai HB20: Originally rated zero stars but improved to three stars after adding six airbags.

Volkswagen T-Cross: Rated five stars, showing strong safety performance.

Volkswagen T-Cross 2024 (Fleet Mobility Today - IMAGIN.studio

Manufacturers often respond to poor crash test results by improving vehicle safety features. For example, Hyundai recently added six airbags to the HB20 after receiving a low rating. However, according to FMMC (fleet and mobility managers club) members, we need more models tested.

There is a push to have more vehicles tested, according to Alejandro, but without government support or more external funding, the number of tests is limited. Latin NCAP is an NGO, and limited funding is a major constraint for testing more vehicles. Its resources come from various contributors.

Government, Call to Action

Government involvement is crucial. A regulatory framework, similar to what's in place in the U.S. and Europe, would help increase the number of vehicles tested and most importantly, enhance overall safety standards in the region.

Fleet Managers, Call to Action

Fleet managers in Latin America are encouraged to only purchase vehicles that have been tested by Latin NCAP, regardless of the rating. This practice incentivizes manufacturers to have their vehicles tested and improve safety standards.