Media statement | 26 March 2008

Average scores for utes in latest ANCAP safety ratings

The Automobile Association and Land Transport New Zealand are emphasising the need for good occupant protection in utility vehicles following today’s release of the latest Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) safety ratings.

ANCAP crash tests new vehicles to measure safety and provide consumers with valuable information on occupant protection performance. Vehicles are assessed based on a five-star safety rating system.

The newly released safety ratings are for the Holden Commodore ute, the Mazda BT50 4x4 and the Nissan Navara D40 4x4.

The Commodore ute achieved a four star result and provides a range of safety features – including anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake distribution (EBD) and electronic stability control (ESC) – as standard.

The Mazda BT50 gained a three star rating, and the Nissan Navara was also awarded a three star rating under ANCAP’s sister program EuroNCAP.

The Mazda BT50 and the Ford Ranger are based on the same design and are expected to have similar crashworthiness.  The frontal offset crash by ANCAP left the passenger compartment of the BT50 severely deformed, with the steering column, dashboard components and park brake lever presenting as potential sources of injury.

Stella Stocks, AA General Manager of Technical Services says given that it is now commonplace for new passenger vehicles sold in New Zealand to achieve four and five star results, new utility vehicles could also be expected to have a four or five-star rating. 

"We need to increase consideration of safety when purchasing vehicles and put pressure on the manufacturers to produce safer utility vehicles."

Land Transport NZ Vehicles Manager Don Hutchinson says utility vehicles are a popular choice for many Kiwis, with over 190,000 on New Zealand roads.

"Utes are likely to be driven in a range of situations on New Zealand roads including being used by tradespeople, farmers and couriers. These people travel considerable distances due to the nature of their work and are therefore more likely to be exposed to crashes. These vehicles are also often purchased for family use. Taking these factors into account, occupant protection and general safety in utes should be a vital issue," he says.

ANCAP is supported by all New Zealand and Australian motoring clubs, the New Zealand government, all Australian State governments and the FIA Foundation. The AA and Land Transport NZ are both members of ANCAP. Detailed crash test results are available on the websites of both organisations – www.aa.co.nz or www.landtransport.govt.nz/vehicles/ancap/ 

For more information contact:

Andy Knackstedt
Media Manager
Land Transport New Zealand
(04) 931 8829  or  021 276 3222