Dear friends, the unthinkable happened: Euro NCAP, the European Automotive Security Temple, published the results of the safety tests carried out on 16 new cars. And believe me, the news is shocking: Chinese producers have risen to the top of the European automotive elite with five stars, while some European icons are now shamefully back. European shame for the NCAP euro! Yes, Europe, awakened: the Chinese are no longer just an economic alternative, but they are also with breath on the neck when it comes to safety.
Euro ncap Recently tested new models of Audi, Dacia, Ford, MG, Opel/Vauxhall, Peugeot, Renault, Tesla, Voyah and Volkswagen. Results? Mmm, let’s call them conflicting feelings. The Audi A5 Phev, the Audi Q5, the Volkswagen Tayron, the MG MGS5 EV, the Tesla Model 3, the Toyota C-Hr Phev and the Chinese new entry Voyah Courage have all easily gained the five stars. Congratulations to them. But here’s the first alarm: MG and Voyah are Chinese brands. Who would have thought of it, right? European shame for Euro NCAP: let’s see!
Tesla Model 3: Once again an excellent car that does not compromise on safety. Some Europeans love it!
Renault 4 and Dacia Bigster: safety failure on the wheels “3”
On the other side of the scale, the situation is rather sad. The Renault 4 E-Tech Electric, the car that should have revived the French legend, obtained only four stars. What is worse is that Renault’s “economic” cousin, Dacia Bigster, barely obtained three stars. Three! Do you know what a three -star evaluation means? This is a car that should be parked in a showroom, not on the roads. Although it is cheap, it is not enough to justify the risk of jeopardizing the safety of one’s family.
Euro NCAP evaluates the protection in frontal, lateral and rear collisions, as well as the protection of pedestrians and other accident prevention systems. This new series of tests has highlighted in particular the worrying results of vehicles compatibility tests. The Audi Q5, for example, despite the five stars, does not behave in a very “delicate” way in the case of frontal collision with a smaller car. However, its overall safety still exceeds the electric “blow” of the Renault and the off -road insignification of the Dacia.
The Chinese are also at the forefront of safety
The hazel of the problem? Chinese brands are no longer just the “cheaper copies” of European vehicles. Chinese producers such as MG and Voyah are not only reaching European standards, but even overcoming them. It is a disaster for the European car industry, which has long been considered the reference point for safety. How have we arrived so far? Perhaps due to excessive confidence in one’s superiority or for sleepiness towards innovation, both probably.
As pointed out by Dr. Aled Williams of Euro NCAP, it is essential that car manufacturers improve the compatibility of their vehicles, since a larger and heavier vehicle should not represent a greater risk for other vehicles in circulation. In this context, Renault 4 and Dacia Bigster should be admonishing examples: European brands must start taking security more seriously.
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Stellantis – average, not good enough
Even the cars of the Stellantis group did not shine particularly. The Opel/Vauxhall Grandland, the Peugeot 3008 and the 5008 stopped at four stars. It is not a disaster, but we expect more from giants like you. Especially when it is clear that Chinese competitors get the highest scores to the first attempt. Stellantis, it’s time to stop being satisfied with mediocrity. It is the icing on the cake: the European shame of the euro ncap
European shame for the NCAP euro: it is time for the European automotive industry to get some clarity
That this cold shower servant for the European automotive giants: it is time to stop relying exclusively on tradition and nostalgia. We consumers want cars who are not only beautiful and ecological, but above all safe. The next time we have to choose between Renault and MG, we want to be clear: the story of a brand does not mean anything if its security is worse than that of Chinese competition.
And Care Renault and Dacia, stop deluding you. Three stars are a disaster. Be better or prepare to be shot down by the Chinese soon relegated to the history of the car. It is time for Europe to wake up and demonstrate who is the true king of automotive safety. For now, the crown is hung in Beijing.
