21 Feb #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign: Toyota Etios on display

In late 2017, together with Global NCAP, the AA launched the #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign, displaying the crash test results of five of SA’s most popular/compact small cars. The models tested were the base versions of the VW Polo Vivo together with the Chery QQ3, Datsun Go+, Renault Sandero and Toyota Etios, collectively sales of which account for around 65% of all the new cars sold in the country.

For the assessment, each car was fitted with crash test dummies representing adults in the front seats, plus a three-year-old and an 18-month old child in the rear seat. The assessment checks how compatible the car is with the child seat recommended by the manufacturer, as well as the protection provided in the crash test. The cars are propelled at 64 km/h into a solid block covering 40% of the car’s width on the driver’s side. Separate ratings are given for front adult and rear child safety.

In a positive new initiative with FMM, the #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign recently donated the Toyota Etios to the museum, along with a video and explanation of the actual test. The Etios has seatbelts with pre-tensioners for both front passengers and achieved a four-star rating for adult occupant protection. The vehicle structure was rated as stable, offering good general protection. Using the child seats recommended by Toyota, the Etios achieved a three-star rating for child occupant protection.

The crash tests represent an important step in road safety not only in South Africa but globally, and having an example on display brings home the message to all visitors to the museum.