LDV G10 falls short with three-star ANCAP rating

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has issued a lacklustre three-star safety rating to the LDV G10 van and people mover, with structural concerns leading to the low score.

Despite being tested in May this year, the G10 was assessed against 2015 ANCAP standards because the commercial vehicle originally went on sale locally in June 2015.

Overall, the G10 scored 24.49 out of a possible 37 points, with its most damning result coming from the frontal offset test at 64km/h where a 9.37 out of 16 score was given.

Rearward brake pedal movement in this crash simulation was deemed 'excessive' by ANCAP, while the driver footwell offered 'marginal' safety after splitting during the test, creating a possible source of foot injury. This resulted in 2.06 points being deducted from the overall score.

Steering column and dash components posed an injury risk to the driver's knee, while the latter also produced a potential threat to the knees of the passenger. This led to a two-point overall score reduction. 

However, all of the G10's doors could be opened post-crash with a normal amount of force.

Following the frontal offset test, the driver and passenger's upper legs and chests were determined to offer 'marginal' levels of protection, while their lower legs had 'acceptable' safety.

Nevertheless, both front-row occupants were provided with ‘good’ head protection.

By default, ANCAP automatically awards large vehicles, like the G10, a maximum 16 points in the side impact test, as models of this size are expected to perform well. Thus, a crash simulation was not conducted in this instance.

Additionally, the pole, whiplash and pedestrian tests were also not undertaken, but had no automatic scores supplied.

There are no seatbelt pretensioners for any G10 passengers.

The G10 is fitted with dual front airbags as standard, but is not available with either side or curtain airbags that offer chest and head protection respectively.

Seatbelt reminders are not present for non-driver occupants, while there are no seatbelt pretensioners for any G10 passengers.

As well, neither AEB or lane support systems are included or optional in the G10.

The G10's three-star safety rating applies to all petrol and diesel van and people-mover variants sold in Australia since June 2015.

According to ANCAP CEO James Goodwin, both LDV and its customers – including commercial buyers and families – should be disappointed by the G10’s result.

"The safety standards of passenger and commercial vans remain well below those offered in other segments, with 67 per cent of vans rated by ANCAP holding a rating of four stars or less, so we urge all brands to ensure an emphasis on safety carries across all market segments," he added.

An LDV spokesperson said the Chinese brand and its parent company SAIC “are disappointed with this result and will use the valuable data from this test to improve the LDV G10’s safety performance".

"SAIC recognises the importance of safety and is committed to making all future products from LDV achieve a minimum of a five-star ANCAP score," they said.

This is the second LDV model to receive a sub-par safety rating, with the V80 van given two stars in August 2015 for versions fitted without electronic stability control (ESC), while variants with ESC netted three stars.

LDV G10 sales have skyrocketed this year, with 899 units sold to the end of June. Comparatively, only 495 examples found homes during the same period last year.

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