Euro NCAP award Thursday, November 30th 2006

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Richard Hammond

Vehicle & Alternative fuels news

Thursday, November 30th 2006

Since August, a total of eight new results have been released on Euro NCAP’s
website (www.euroncap.com), for cars ranging from the small family category
to large off-roaders. Today, an additional result – that of the Hyundai
Sonata - is also released.

Four of the cars have achieved the maximum five-star rating for adult
occupant protection – the Ford Galaxy, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, the Lexus
IS and the Citroen C4 Picasso. All of the other cars, including the Honda
Civic and Audi Q7, achieved four-star ratings.

The five-star cars were praised by Euro NCAP’s chairman, Claes Tingvall,
“These manufacturers clearly believe that their customers demand the highest
levels of safety and they are able to provide that very high level of
protection in their cars. It is reassuring that such manufacturers
consistently achieve high ratings.”

In contrast, it was widely reported that Honda expected the new Civic to
achieve a five-star rating. However, to Euro NCAP’s disappointment, the
tests have shown that it is a four-star performer, an uncompetitive result
compared with other cars in its category.

Claes Tingvall, “It is disappointing, though perhaps not surprising, that
some manufacturers should try to make it known that they are expecting the
highest award from Euro NCAP. Honda state on their websites that they
expected a five-star rating for the Civic and continue to do so even after
our rating has been published. Such statements are clearly misleading and
confusing to the public. Honda has yet to produce a five-star car and should
wait until our results are known before suggesting otherwise.”

Audi’s Q7 suffered a rupture of the footwell in the frontal impact, a result
of poor welding. Audi state that they have improved production quality as a
result of Euro NCAP’s tests, yet they decided not to submit the vehicle for
re-test.

Claes Tingvall, “The Q7 is an expensive, prestige vehicle from a marque
known for the quality of its products. Those who have bought the car will be
disappointed that it has not been rated higher than some older, cheaper
vehicles in the same category. People paying a premium price for a vehicle
must surely expect to get the highest levels of protection."

Six of the cars achieved a four-star rating for child protection with the
other three cars being awarded three stars.

The Honda Civic was the only car to be awarded three stars for its
pedestrian protection. All other cars were awarded two stars except the Kia
Carnival which was awarded only one star.

Claes Tingvall, “It is reassuring to see Honda continuing their good results
in pedestrian protection. There are now a number of three-star cars and we
hope that the trend will continue to spread across the industry. At the same
time, it is disappointing to see Kia achieve only one star. It shows that
some manufacturers still do not take pedestrian safety seriously. Clearly
they have much to do to catch up with the others. We would like to see them
and other poor performers place a much greater emphasis on protecting this
vulnerable group of road-users.”

The ratings for these cars in more detail can be seen at www.euroncap.com.

Euro NCAP's commitment to consumers ensures that test results are released
as soon as possible. Keep checking our website for details of forthcoming
results.

For further information please contact the Euro NCAP office:
office@euroncap.com.