SAIC’s V80 Draws Poor Safety Rating in Australia

Another Chinese import scores just two stars under Australasian New Car Assessment Program crash testing.

This time it is the LDV V80 commercial van scoring poorly in ANCAP’s assessment.

The V80, built by China’s biggest automotive group, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp., achieved just 4.97 points out of a possible 16 in the frontal-offset crash test conducted at 40 mph (64 km/h) with a risk of serious injury to the driver’s head, chest and legs.

In addition, ANCAP says the V80’s lack of electronic stability control limits its safety rating to two stars. It also lacks chest- and head-protecting side airbags and intelligent seatbelt reminders.

ACAP reports the LDV V80’s passenger compartment lost structural integrity in the frontal offset crash test.

“Steering column and pedal movement were excessive,” it says. “Steering column components were a potential source of knee injury for the driver. Dash components were also a potential source of knee injury for the driver and passenger, a door opened during the test.”

Its 2-star rating follows similar verdicts for the first two Chinese-made Great Wall pickups sold in Australia in 2010.

ANCAP CEO Nicholas Clarke says under regulatory requirements the V80 and other light-commercial vehicles are afforded a number of safety concessions, but ANCAP’s requirements are more stringent.

“ANCAP applies the same standards to both light-commercial and light-passenger vehicles,” Clarke says. “This is vital in providing consumers with transparent and easily comparable safety ratings – whether they be looking to buy for commercial or private purposes."

“More has to be done to encourage manufacturers to increase the level of safety provided in LCVs. Even newly released commercial vehicles are providing safety features as optional extras. The question is: Why?”

Clarke says the safety of those traveling in commercial vehicles is no less important than those traveling in passenger vehicles.

The LDV range of light commercial vans is handled in Australia by Sydney-based importer Ateco with V80 prices starting at A$29,990 ($22,127), making it one of Australia’s least-expensive vans.