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Australia’s leading independent vehicle safety advocate, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), has welcomed a 4-star safety rating for Mitsubishi’s groundbreaking electric vehicle, the i-MiEV.
The globally marketed i-MiEV was crash tested in Japan last month under ANCAP protocols – the first such safety crash test and rating of the i-MiEV by any New Car Assessment Program in the world.
ANCAP Chair, Lauchlan McIntosh, said that while a 4-star safety rating was a good outcome for the i-MiEV these days many small cars achieve a 5 star ANCAP rating, including the most fuel efficient cars on the market. He urged manufacturers of other “green” vehicles to aim for a 5 star rating.
“ANCAP supports and welcomes the push for greener vehicles, but we stress the need to ensure safety is built in to the vehicle,” Mr McIntosh said.
“The crash tests were conducted at the Japanese crash test laboratory JARI, in cooperation with Japan NCAP and with ANCAP personnel undertaking the post-crash assessment and star rating. This was a valuable exercise in international cooperation, and we look forward to further collaborative tests and information sharing with Japan NCAP and NCAPs in other countries.”
Mr McIntosh said that it was pleasing that Mitsubishi had decided to make electronic stability control and head-protecting side curtain airbags standard on the Australian i-MiEV. The 4-star rating applies to the 2010 i-MiEV with these features.
For a full list of ANCAP’s vehicle safety ratings and other vehicle safety information, go to www.ancap.com.au
ANCAP is supported by all Australian and New Zealand motoring clubs, the Australian Government, the New Zealand government, all Australian state governments, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.
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