Review of Australian NCAP since ESV 1998

The Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) last reported on progress at ESV 1998 in Canada. This is an update of results since then. In 1999 ANCAP decided to harmonize its testing and evaluation procedures with EuroNCAP (ENCAP). This was so ANCAP could use the results of ENCAP testing on European vehicles where the vehicle specifications were essentially similar to those of the Australian model, thereby reducing the number and cost of tests required to produce consumer information.

Since 1998 there has generally been an improvement in the crash test performance of new passenger vehicles sold in the Australian market. ANCAP has carried out updates of the small, medium and large car groups, and of four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles (SUVs). The new designs in the 4WD group particularly have shown a dramatic improvement in occupant safety as measured by crash tests. These include good results for the Honda CRV, Subaru Forester and Toyota Landcruiser. The four locally built Australian large cars have also improved, but not to the top level. Small car crash test performance has been more variable, depending on the technology used in the structure and the safety equipment fitted, which is usually price driven. Future programs include commercial vehicles, a large car update and a passenger van update.