NCAP assaults pickups in new category

For the first time NCAP has tested pick ups, traditionally a type used in the commercial industry, with demand for these vehicles increasing across Europe.

NCAP decided to include this type of vehicle in its testing due to the increase in manufacturers targeting the private car sales market, with better quality options and trim packages, rather than sticking to the commercial vehicle sector.

The first three tested, Nissan’s Navara, Isuzu’s D-max Rodeo and the Mitsubishi L200, received quite a mauling from the testing organisation.

Isuzu’s’ pickup scored badly in all areas with a two star strikethrough in the adult safety that was followed with two from five stars and one star from four for child and pedestrian protection respectively.

The Nissan scored so poorly for adult safety that it consulted with NCAP to identify the problem and then took action to upgrade the software package for the airbag deployment system and sent an updated version for re-testing.

However NCAP has still published the original scores of a one star strike through for adult safety and three stars and two stars for child and pedestrian protection while it makes its new assessment.

This has angered Nissan as it was hoping that the results from the updated vehicle would be used as it is in the process of running a service drive to upgrade the software for all Navaras currently in use.

The only one to come out with any credibility was the Mitsubishi with four from five stars for adult protection, but could only manage three form five for child safety and scored very disappointingly on pedestrian protection with only one star from four.

To view the test results in full go to http://www.euroncap.com/Content-CarClass/b9daf426-e95a-43af-bea9-c5d2e7388aef/pick-up.aspx and checkout each vehicles assessment.

News provided by insuremyvehicle.co.uk

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