Media statement | 9 May 2006

New Holden Barina slips to two stars in crash tests

The new model Holden Barina has received a poor two star rating in the latest Australasian crash test results, released in New Zealand today by Land Transport New Zealand and the AA.

Land Transport NZ and the AA are concerned at the poor performance of the popular small car, particularly as the previous model Barina achieved a four star rating in 2001.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP) crash tests new vehicles to measure how safe they are and to provide consumers with valuable information on occupant protection performance. Vehicles are assessed based on a five-star safety rating system.

Land Transport NZ Vehicles Manager John White said ANCAP was releasing this result as part of its effort to provide important independent safety information to consumers.

“Car buyers need to be aware that the new model Barina is a completely different vehicle to the previous four-star model. It is built in a different country and it does not provide the same level of occupant protection in crash testing as the previous model. New car buyers would not expect the new Barina to be a two star vehicle when the previous model achieved four stars.”

Stella Stocks, General Manager of AA Technical Services said the Barina's rating was the lowest recorded by ANCAP for a small passenger car since 2004.

“Most of the passenger cars and four-wheel-drives tested recently by ANCAP and equivalent overseas testing programmes have achieved four or five star ratings. Manufacturers routinely achieve four or five stars in crash tests using current technology, so we would expect this technology to be used in new model vehicles.”

The crash test procedures conducted by ANCAP involve a frontal impact test at 64 km/h where part of the vehicle hits a barrier, and a side impact test at 50 km/h. The vehicles also undergo a test to assess likely injuries caused to pedestrians by a vehicle travelling at 40 km/h.

A pole test is optional, where the vehicle travelling sideways at 29 km/h strikes a round pole lined up with the driver's head. This measures the effectiveness of head protecting side airbags and can result in extra points being scored. The Barina was not eligible for a pole test as it is not available with head protecting side airbags.

ANCAP is supported by all Australian and New Zealand motoring clubs, all State governments, the New Zealand government and the FIA Foundation. Land Transport NZ and the AA are both members of ANCAP. Detailed crash test results are available on the websites of both organisations - www.landtransport.govt.nz or www.aa.co.nz.

For more information contact:

Andy Knackstedt
Media Manager
Land Transport New Zealand
Ph: 04 931 8829 or 021 276 3222

Stella Stocks
General Manager - Technical Services
New Zealand Automobile Association
(09) 966 8908 or 021 772 242