Five star safety leads the way to Christmas

Media release: 11 December 2012

Five star safety leads the way to Christmas


New Zealand car buyers have even more choice this festive season with the Automobile Association and the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) today releasing the latest 5-star ANCAP new car crash safety ratings.

The following new vehicles have been awarded five stars:
• Kia Sorento
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Mitsubishi Outlander; and
• Citroen DS4

"Motorists purchasing these vehicles can be assured they are travelling in some of the safest on the market," says AA general manager motoring services, Stella Stocks.

“These results cap off a busy 12 months for the independent Australasian New Car Assessment Programme - commonly referred to as ANCAP. It has crash tested and published safety ratings for 48 vehicles this year, of which 39 (81%) achieved a 5-star rating; eight (17%) achieved a 4-star rating and just one, the Mahindra Pik-Up, scored 3 stars. No vehicles were given a 1 or 2-star rating in 2012.”

"The 5-star vehicles all have a number of safety assist technologies which enhance the level of safety provided to both the occupants and other road users," says Ms Stocks.

Celia Patrick, the NZTA’s group manager of Access and Use welcomed the new range of 5-star ANCAP vehicles onto the market.

“Safe vehicles play an important role, along with safe speeds, safe road use and safe roads, in reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads. So the NZTA welcomes the increasing range of 5-star ANCAP rated vehicles onto the market.”

“If you’re in the market for a new or used vehicle this holiday season, the NZTA encourages you to make a vehicle’s safety features your number one priority, and buy the safest car you can afford.”

Find out about both new and used vehicle safety ratings at the NZTA’s www.rightcar.govt.nz website.

ANCAP, the independent crash testing body, is supported by the Automobile Association and the New Zealand Government, as well as by the Australian motoring clubs, the Australian Government and state and territory governments, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.

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