Chinese-built LDV V80 commercial van gains just two-stars from ANCAP.
In a market where five-star safety is almost the exception rather than the rule, the Chinese-built LDV commercial van has managed just a two-star ANCAP safety rating.
The Chinese brand has a range of eleven different vans on the Australian market, including two variants kitted-out as passenger vehicles. The ANCAP testing was carried out on the V80 commercial van, an offering priced from $29,990.
In releasing the test results, ANCAP said the LDV V80 achieved just 4.97 points out of a possible 16 points in the frontal offset crash test with a risk of serious injury to the driver’s head, chest and legs.
In addition the LDV V80 lacks electronic stability control (ESC) and this limits its ANCAP safety rating to two-stars. While the V80 also doesn’t offer other possible safety features such as side air-bags and intelligent seat belt reminders.
ANCAP chief Nicholas Clarke says the results are disappointing.
“Under regulatory requirements the LDV V80 (and other light commercial vehicles) is afforded a number of safety concessions.
“Under the ANCAP assessment regime however, these concessions are not applicable,”
“More has to be done to encourage manufacturers to increase the level of safety provided in LCVs.”
“The safety of those travelling in commercial vehicles is no less important than those travelling in passenger cars.”
The LDV range of vans was recently recalled over a labelling issue, check out those details here.
In other road safety news; Drivers choose fuel economy over safety features and Push for mandatory Autonomous Emergency Braking.