Fading five-star halo: C-NCAP gradually loses market trust in past ten years

Gasgoo (Shanghai, August 23)—With the fast development of Chinese passenger vehicle market since 2001, C-NCAP once became the great selling point of most domestic passenger vehicles. Auto companies were also proud of their high scores in C-NCAP impact test, giving customers impression that only five-star scores were safe enough. To be fair, C-NCAP helps a lot in driving up auto industry. Many impact experts said that, “C-NCAP offers obvious help in improving auto companies’ self-disciplines and safety technologies. “

“The first impact in 2006 included 40% offset collision project, much higher than the then international standards. High-score companies and products also got great attention in the industry; therefore, later comers regarded participating in C-NCAP as a way of improvement as well as an advertisement.”

But the flooding five-star scores caused customers’ suspicion on the report credibility. According to statistics, 90% of testing vehicles obtain five-star or above evaluation, while the proportion are less than 60%-70% in mature auto market, such as Europe or America, or even lower.

In fact, C-NCAP always follows the European standards. But apart from the similar name, C-NCAP has total different essence with E-NCAP. E-NCAP was firstly initiated by five European countries, with members from France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, UK and other main European countries, and obtained assistances from FIA, ADAC and other auto sports organization. Newly launched vehicles in Europe, especially products catching wide attention, will be choosed by E-NCAP as testing objects. If vehicles are launched, E-NCAP will purchase them from dealerships with names undisclosed. Tests will be sponsored by members or auto producers and conducted in 8 different laboratories. New testing programs will also be sponsored by members and relevant laboratories. Just because of E-NCAP’s independence and professionalism, China, Japan, and Australia all construct auto impact safety organizations, following similar standards afterwards.

But C-NCAP is now controlled by a profit organization China Automotive Technology & Research Center, the operation mechanism of which aroused great suspicion on the fairness and veracity of reporting results. Facing the situation, impact experts all hope C-NCAP will become a real independent institution. But how will C-NCAP will be independent is still a problem and faces a long way to go.