AA raises serious concerns around safety and misleading consumers

The Automobile Association (AA) has expressed concern following the latest #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign crash test results from Global NCAP, which reveal that the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro has received a disappointing two-star rating for adult occupant protection, due to the absence of standard side head protection for front and rear occupants. Child occupant protection was rated at three stars. However, the Child Restraint System (CRS) failed the installation for all front rearward facing positions, with the vehicle lacking the option to disconnect the passenger airbag when a rearward facing child seat is placed in the passenger seat.

These findings are in relation to the entry-level models in the Tiggo 7 range currently on sale in South Africa. Tested by Global NCAP is the previous-generation Tiggo 7 Pro Distinction (currently on sale locally), while worth noting is that the current-generation Tiggo 7 Prime — the entry-point into the current-generation range — lacks the same highlighted safety features as the Tiggo 7 Pro Distinction. The results clearly demonstrate shortcomings in the level of standard safety provided to adults in these models sold across African markets, including South Africa.

SAFETY FAILURESGlobal NCAP’s assessment exposed several findings in the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro safety performance testing including: MISLEADING CONSUMER SENTIMENTGlobal NCAP notes Chery SA’s recent dual-vehicle collision test, which saw two Chery Tiggo 9 SUVs collide in a 50% offset head-on impact at 50 km/h in South Africa last year. The AA encourages consumers to look for market-specific NCAP test results, conducted in an NCAP environment, and taking into account NCAP-specific testing criteria and parameters. Global NCAP chief executive officer Richard Woods saidd: “A two-star rating for the Tiggo 7 Pro is very disappointing, but this poor result is seriously compounded by the publication of misleading information on crash test results from other markets.

[paywall]

South African consumers need independent and accurate information to inform their purchasing decisions. Transparency and accountability on vehicle safety — not marketing smoke and mirrors — is fundamental to consumer safety”.

[/paywall]