The Automobile Association and the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) have announced that the Ford Falcon FG sedan has joined the top safety rating ranks following recent testing by the Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP).
The Automobile Association and the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) have announced that the Ford Falcon FG sedan has joined the top safety rating ranks following recent testing by the Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP).
The Falcon became the first Australian made car to be awarded ANCAP’s highest five-star safety rating.
General Manager of AA Technical Services, Stella Stocks says because the Falcon FG sedan is available in New Zealand, the result is also good news for New Zealand drivers.
“A five-star rating requires additional safety features such as electronic stability control (ESC). The more cars with ESC on New Zealand roads, the more assistance drivers will have in regaining control in tricky situations. Side airbags will also assist occupants involved in crashes and increase the chances of survival,” says Ms Stocks.
NZTA Vehicles Manager Don Hutchinson says it is encouraging that another popular vehicle model has scored a top safety rating.
“The purpose of ANCAP crash testing is to increase consumer demand for safety and encourage car manufacturers to meet that demand. Results like this are great news and demonstrate the value of crash testing programmes.”
The Falcon scored well in the frontal offset, side impact and optional pole tests, providing strong protection for the vehicle occupants. The vehicle tested was a base model Falcon XT which has dual front airbags and front-seat head-protecting side airbags and electronic stability control as standard. ESC is a requirement for a 5 star rating.
All FG Falcon sedans, with the exception of the LPG fuelled model, have been awarded a 5 star rating. The LPG model (which does not have ESC) scores 4 stars.
While the new Falcon provides good protection for vehicle occupants, it did not fare as well in separate tests carried out to assess the level of injury likely to be sustained by pedestrians where impacts occur at 40kph, scoring just two out of a possible 4 stars.
ANCAP is supported by all New Zealand and Australian motoring clubs, the New Zealand government, all Australian State governments and the FIA Foundation. The AA and NZTA are both members of ANCAP. Detailed crash test results are available on the websites of both organisations – www.aa.co.nz(external link) or www.landtransport.govt.nz/vehicles/ancap(external link).
Contact information:
Andy Knackstedt
Telephone: 04 894 6285
Mobile: 021 276 3222
