The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) notes with disappointment another crash-test publicity stunt from the Chery Group, which took place earlier this week at a Chery Summit in China.
The Chinese carmaker states, on its Chery International Facebook page, that “Tiggo7 Aced the 50km/h Truck Crash Test! In a severe truck-to-vehicle impact at 50km/h, Tiggo7 stood strong and cleared the challenge with confidence. Safety isn’t just a feature – it’s our promise”.
This is not the first time the carmaker has staged this kind of unsubstantiated exhibition crash test. The AA called out a similar activation earlier this year, with Global NCAP at the time stating that “it takes note of Chery SA’s recent dual-vehicle collision test which saw two Chery Tiggo 9 SUVs collide in a 50% offset head-on impact at 50 km/h in South Africa last year”.
More notably, the global safety organisation categorically stated that the results and findings of the faux-par tests are not recognised by Global NCAP, emphasising that consumers need to ensure that any safety ratings claimed by any manufacturer are conducted and endorsed by the Global NCAP facility and team.
The AA also finds it interesting that the Chery Group chose to crash test a Tiggo7 derivative earlier this week. The Tiggo 7 Pro earlier this year, in the NCAP #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign, received a disappointing two-star rating for adult occupant protection, due to the absence of standard side head protection for front and rear occupants.
Child occupant protection was rated at three stars. However, the Child Restraint System (CRS) failed the installation for all front rearward facing positions, with the vehicle lacking the option to disconnect the passenger airbag when a rearward facing child seat is placed in the passenger seat.
These findings were in relation to the entry-level models in the Tiggo 7 range on sale in South Africa. Tested by Global NCAP at the time was the previous-generation Tiggo 7 Pro Distinction, while worth noting was that the current-generation Tiggo 7 Prime, the entry-point into the current-generation range, lacked the same highlighted safety features as the Tiggo 7 Pro Distinction.
The AA reminds both manufacturers and the public that the Global NCAP crash testing protocol is a defined and detailed science, conducted at world-leading laboratories in Germany, using crash test dummies attached to a myriad of delicate sensors and mechanisms. The technology precision-measures in millimetres and milliseconds, looking at many areas including head injuries, neck shear/tension, chest compression and knee/femur loads – not to mention the attention given to vehicle structural integrity, pillar displacement, footwell integrities, airbag deployments – the overall criterion is extensive.
Between 2014 and 2026, the NCAP organisation has completed more than 100 safety assessments, driving significant improvements in the safety of vehicles sold in both India and Africa. For a safety rating to be recognised locally the vehicle needs to be assessed under the #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign conducted by Global NCAP unless the derivative has been proven to be tested under other recognised NCAP programmes such as Euro NCAP and ANCAP.
The AA therefore deems these exhibition crash tests to be thoroughly misleading based on the principles of the NCAP studies undertaken in this critical area of safety. We encourage consumers to look for market-specific NCAP test results, conducted in an NCAP environment, taking into account NCAP-specific testing criteria and parameters. The AA also encourages the Chery Group to submit its crash-test criteria and findings from its Summit earlier this week to Global NCAP for analysis and opinion.
The AA further encourages manufacturers to align with the AA and Global NCAP to correctly facilitate and conduct such safety-critical testing at NCAP recognised facilities. Manufacturers are encouraged on an ongoing basis to volunteer vehicles for testing, which will result in credible results.
Vehicle safety testing should never be a publicity stunt. Visit www.aa.co.za for all #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign crash test results to date from Global NCAP.
