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Some MPVs still lazy about safety E-mail
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Wednesday, 07 February 2007
Euro NCAP recently released test results for its latest car line-up and is shocked to find that certain manufacturers are still ignoring Euro NCAP's call for stronger safety measures in family cars. An MPV, the Chrysler Voyager, has again been awarded a poor safety score of two stars with the last star struck through, seven years after it originally received a two-star result.

The Chrysler Voyager has come in for criticism by the EuroNCAP testing body for a poor performance in the latest round of crash testing, with the claim of little improvement since the first test in 1999.

Euro NCAP first tested a collection of MPVs, including the Voyager, back in 1999. Only two out of eight cars received a four-star rating, the maximum available at that time. In its testing, Euro NCAP noted that MPVs were weaker in frontal impact tests. Consequently, many manufacturers have made great improvements to their vehicles since then, particularly in this area. In August 2006, Euro NCAP awarded the Ford S-MAX 36 points and a five-star rating, making it the best performing MPV to date.

However, as the Chrysler Voyager shows, despite this progress, some manufacturers are continuing to sell cars that are little changted from those tested in 1999. In last month's results, the right hand drive Voyager did not meet the minimum score for a three star Adult Occupant Protection rating. The Voyager's results also indicated an unacceptably high risk of serious or fatal injury, resulting in the last star being struck through.

Euro NCAP Chairman, Claes Tingvall, said, "I find it shocking that, in seven years, this manufacturer has not been able to improve the safety of this MPV - a car that is clearly targeting families. Still worse is that Chrysler continues to sell this version in the UK whilst a better-equipped and better-performing version is available in left hand drive across the rest of Europe. I do hope that Chrysler intends to show a greater commitment to safety in the future."

Today's results also include some disappointing pedestrian protection scores. Again, the Chrysler Voyager is the worst performer, scoring no points at all and being awarded no stars. The Jeep Grand Cherokee, also made by Chrysler, performed equally poorly in 2005.

Euro NCAP Chairman, Claes Tingvall, said, "I am continually disappointed by the lack of commitment and effort shown by manufacturers to improving the level of pedestrian protection in their vehicles. This is an area where there are few front-runners and massive room for improvement."

Results released today are in the MPV, Small Off-Roader and Small Family categories.


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