Cash is extra necessary to Australian automobile patrons than a security rating. So, too, is efficiency.
Confronted with a selection between a well-priced automobile and a full five-star ANCAP security score, gross sales outcomes have confirmed that value comes first.
Even with regards to high-priced, high-performance vehicles, no signal of an ANCAP star remains to be no barrier to purchasing.
On the backside finish of the automobile market, the MG 3 has persistently led the worth contenders in Australian showrooms but has by no means been examined by the Australasian New-Automotive Evaluation Program.
A complete of 12,085 MG 3s have been delivered in Australia by means of the primary 9 months of this yr, up from 11,612 in 2022, giving it a 43 per cent share of its gentle automobile class in keeping with official figures from VFACTS.
The Hyundai Venue, one of many small SUV favourites with 4626 gross sales to the top of September, solely manages a four-star rating from ANCAP.
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Hyundai Venue -
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Ford Ranger Raptor
It’s nonetheless higher than the rampaging Ford Ranger Raptor, which presently sits on the prime of the pick-up world with a ready listing stretching for greater than a yr regardless of a near-$100,000 value, because it has by no means been put by means of an ANCAP take a look at.
The lesser Ranger has scored 5 stars however there are vital variations within the entrance finish of the performance-focused Raptor, together with a wider entrance monitor, totally different suspension and a V6 petrol twin-turbo engine.
Dacia, a value-driven Renault model from Romania, has already determined it can import its Duster small SUV in 2025 even with no 5-star ANCAP score. The automobile is more likely to get 3 stars however Dacia’s focus is on holding the automobile inexpensive for Australian households.
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Upcoming Dacia Duster -
Within the sports activities automobile world, the place Ferrari and Lamborghini and McLaren sit on the very prime, there are zero ANCAP scores for patrons to match – as a result of it could value an excessive amount of to purchase the vehicles and crash them.
The Italian supercar firms will not be even listed by ANCAP, regardless of its web site highlighting 53 manufacturers together with long-dead Saab which is listed below “previous fashions” with five-star scores from 2002-2003.
The scenario with the MG 3 highlights one of many shortcomings of ANCAP.
Though there isn’t a official rating or take a look at outcomes, the automobile remains to be included on ANCAP’s official web site however the organisation says: “The MG 3 was launched into Australia in 2018 and is presently unrated.”
But it additionally defends its place. “ANCAP endeavours to check a broad vary of standard fashions bought in Australia and New Zealand, and new security rankings are added to the ANCAP web site recurrently,” it says.
“If a score for this mannequin (MG 3) turns into obtainable, full particulars on its security efficiency might be added to this web page.”
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Discover the Euro NCAP stickers
The lacking outcomes increase a variety of questions on ANCAP and its operations, from the vehicles it charges to the method of making a locally-focused star score.
Lots of the ANCAP scores are simply cut-and-paste work from the outcomes of testing by Euro NCAP, checked to make sure native relevance.
However even the expensive upscale fashions from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz will not be included in ANCAP scores.
The significance of a five-star ANCAP rating has grown steadily since Renault and Subaru first recognized it as a promoting instrument in Australia within the early 2000s.
Authorities and company patrons have additionally pushed five-star ANCAP as a part of their company governance and due diligence for employees security.
However some carmakers are questioning the course of ANCAP and the impression on the value of Australian vehicles.
“They’ve gone too far,” one firm CEO, who wouldn’t be named, informed CarExpert.
Others have related emotions however refuse to go public as they’re frightened about being branded as ‘anti-safety’.
However Dacia’s transfer, and the chance of different future arrivals from low-cost international locations together with India and Vietnam, is elevating different questions.
China, although, is utilizing a five-star rating as a showroom weapon and its massive manufacturers are all the time aiming for the highest in ANCAP.
MORE: It’s time for smarter ANCAP security rankings
MORE: The purple tape holding again Australian new automobile patrons
