Ford exec calls out Australian crash testing procedures after Courier gets poor marks
Ford of Australia president Tom Gorman is calling upon the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) to work on its credibility. The Aussie program conducts crash testing programs (not unlike America's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), and has recently drawn fire for the manner and frequency with which it alters its criteria.
As a result of recent methodology and scoring changes, Ford's own Courier light truck saw its star ratings decline from three to two-- a dismal showing. Tom Gorman's response: "If you change protocols so frequently you lack legitimacy and credibility with the marketplace."
For its part, General Motors' Chevrolet and Holden criticized the European New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) on similar grounds, a program that closely mirrors that of Australia. GM did so after getting dinged for a two-star rating on its Chevrolet Aveo/Holden Barina. Authorities at the General had achieved better test results internally, and were apparently upset with the criteria.
[Source: The Red Book AU]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Noah 4:52PM (4/30/2006)
Yes, but at the same time, what car can't get five stars in America? I think if tested the average for new cars should be 2.5 stars NOT 4.9999 stars, I mean what good are ratings if they don't tell you how cars fair against eachother? Sure that Volvo has 5 stars but so does the Kia, whih one is REALLY safer?
--Noah
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That One Person 5:18PM (4/30/2006)
Noah...I have to agree with you.
I honestly dont like these tests. Never have, never will. They are like the EPA fuel mileage tests. They dont test real world accidents. Its all controlled lab tests.
Oh cool, the Volvo gets five stars running into a wall. But what about a Volvo doing 40 with a fully loaded Mack truck heading right at it or heading for the side of the car? Those five stars arent gonna mean shit.
They basically need a way to analyze real world accidents. They are all different. Yes, some are more sever than others but maybe there is a way to sort out the info and categorize cars by that...
But it is bogus if the Aussies keep changing rules like that. A car could have five stars one month and then the next it could have three.
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CH 6:16PM (4/30/2006)
Well, the first two posters should be happy that Volvos are designed based on the intricate details of real-world accidents - 35,000 of them and counting. Saab and Mercedes Benz also look a real crashes.
As for 3rd-party ratings based on real-life crashes, there are problems and limitions, but the Swedish insurance company Folksam has been doing this for years. Their latest report is found here at the "How safe is your car?" link:
http://www.folksam.se/engelsk/index.htm
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Paul 6:29PM (4/30/2006)
Isnt the Courier really a Ford Ranger? The Ranger has always had crash test/stability issues.Its time (finally after 24 years) that Ford replaces the Lone-(St)Ranger...
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That One Person 8:25PM (4/30/2006)
Hey Paul, the current Ranger is built on a platform thats only 13 yrs old...not 24...
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That One Person 8:28PM (4/30/2006)
#3...I didnt even think about that when I was writing my post. But yea, I still think Volvo's are the safest cars around. But 3rd party tests are iffy...
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Tom 9:33PM (4/30/2006)
what does it matter if a test is changed frequently? An actual "safe" car is still a safe car for real people in the real world, no matter what the testing criteria are.
The cars that will see abnormal drop in ratings are those cars whose manufacturers cheated, reinforcing only the parts of the car rated by the crash test, instead of making the whole car safe.
It's like saying a university professor should tell me exactly what's on the exam, and all the correct answers, otherwise it's not fair.
Notice both whining complaints are done by the losers, who tried to cheat the system, instead of working for the well-being of their customers.
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bhtooefr 11:16PM (4/30/2006)
The Courier is the same as a *EURO* Ranger.
The Euro Ranger is the same as the ROW Mazda B-Series. That is actually a Mazda truck.
The US Mazda B-Series is the same as the US Ranger, which is actually a Ford truck. FWIW, it *IS* a platform that dates back to 1982.5 (released as a 1983 model). And, IIRC, the changes from the Mk2 Ranger to the Mk3, the most drastic change, were STILL just styling, electricals, and drivetrains. Everything else was the same, IIRC.
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Koba 2:40AM (5/01/2006)
Well, all bellyaching aside, would you put your 3 year old daughter in the front passenger seat of the truck in the photo? nuff said
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Xenedar 4:53AM (5/01/2006)
>Well, all bellyaching aside, would you put your 3 year old daughter in the front
>passenger seat of the truck in the photo? nuff said
You shouldn't put a 3 year old in the front seat of any car.
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Mick 4:07PM (5/01/2006)
Maybe this is why more Aussies seem to drive the Toyota Hiluxe.
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