Jiangling Motors Corp.'s (000550.SZ) Landwind CV9 minivan reached two out of five stars in its crash test result, the European New Car Assessment Programme, or Euro NCAP said Wednesday, marking a significant improvement after the Chinese automaker's first attempt to enter the European market failed in 2005 due to safety concerns.
"It is clear that vehicles from China, India and other emerging countries will in the next few years become commonplace on European roads," Euro NCAP Secretary General Michiel van Ratingen said in a statement.
Euro NCAP, which is backed by the European Commmission and seven European governments, said it will ensure that consumers know what levels of safety are offered by these vehicles.
"By highlighting differences in safety performance, we aim to drive the safety of all cars towards and beyond the high levels we see from more well-established manufacturers," it said, adding it was "confident that Landwind and others will rise to this challenge."
Euro NCAP noted, however, that compared to other vehicles in this segment the CV9 "remains poorly equipped, lacking a side protection airbag, a head protection device and electronic stability control."
"The car was limited to a two star rating by its overall performance although it came close to meeting the three star threshold for adult occupant protection," Euro NCAP said.
Euro NCAP awarded the maximum of five stars to Audi AG's (NSU.XE) A1, BMW AG's (BMW.XE) Mini Countryman, Ford Motor Co.'s (F) C-MAX, Kia Motors Corp.'s (000270.SE) Sportage, General Motors Co.'s (GM) Opel/Vauxhall Meriva and Volkswagen AG's (VOW.XE) new-generation Passat model.
Tata Motors Ltd.'s (500570.BY) Jaguar XF received four stars.
"In the side pole impact of the XF, chest protection was rated as weak and the car's seat and head restraint provided marginal whiplash protection," Euro NCAP said.
Despite achieving the best pedestrian protection rating, Volkswagen's new Amarok pickup also received four stars because "a poor level of chest protection was offered in the side pole test".
