Euro NCAP reportedly says some automakers not seeking five-star safety rating
Speaking to Australian and New Zealand media, Drive reports that Euro NCAP technical director Richard Schram said some car brands are willing to accept a sub-five-star safety score.
“I can’t speak about the Australian market because it does slightly differ than the European, but for the European market, we what see is [for example] Dacia as a brand clearly doesn’t aim for five stars,” Schram said in the article. “They want to be at the budget [level], but they will aim for three [stars].”
The article notes that while Australia does not field the Dacia brand, one of its models is currently available in the form of the Duster, which is badged as a Renault locally.
It notes that Euro NCAP testing has given the vehicle a three-star rating, while its pricing begins at $31,990 before on-road costs.
“Of note, there are vehicles that are more affordable that have achieved a maximum five-star safety rating, but Dacia’s positioning in Europe is much lower,” the article states.
It adds that Schram said a dual-rating system is in place to ensure buyers are aware of the safer grade.
“We try to counter this slightly as well with what we call the dual rating … it’s not that they don’t know what to do [to get five stars], it’s a clear choice not to put this in as standard, but sometimes they offer it as optional systems,” Schram said in the article.
“And then we can have this double rating that says, ‘Well, if you’re a conscious consumer, you want to get a Dacia with – I don’t think this is available, but this is an example – a Dacia with five stars, you buy this package, which is not standard.’
Featured image: Front crash test photo of a 2019 VW Golf provided by Euro NCAP