RATINGS OPEN DOORS TO VEHICLE CHOICES FOR COMMERCIAL BUYERS
Two van ranges popular in New Zealand, the Mercedes-Benz V-Class and Valente, and the Ford Transit Custom and Ford Tourneo Custom, have been granted 5 star ANCAP safety ratings.
The Australasian New Car Assessment Programme says all current variants of the Mercedes V-Class and Valente vehicles score the top 5 star safety rating, as do all variants of the Ford Transit and Tourneo models.
Dual ratings have been issued for the Mercedes-Benz Vito. Vito variants without head-protecting side (curtain) airbags hold a 4 star ANCAP safety rating, while Vito variants sold with optional curtain airbags earn the maximum 5 star rating.
“These ratings provide both commercial and private buyers with greater choice in the van and people-mover categories,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, James Goodwin.
“For commercial buyers — many of whom are now required by their employers to have a vehicle with a 5 star ANCAP safety rating — these ratings open the door to a number of new vehicle choices.”
Mercedes will implement a running change to production of the Vito, incorporating head-protecting side airbags as standard for all vehicles built from July 2016.
Standard fitment will see all Vito variants built from this date secure a 5 star rating.
“Mercedes-Benz has taken the responsible action to work with ANCAP to improve safety and address the 4 star result. This is an encouraging outcome for safety and should be commended for working quickly to implement these important safety improvements,” he said.
“Consumers should therefore be mindful that Vito variants without head-protecting side airbags are 4 star rated,” said Goodwin.
Ford was joining Mercedes-Benz in the Australasian ANCAP 5 star van rankings for the first time.
“The Transit is a popular choice for large and small commercial operators such as tradespeople or couriers. Transit drivers will now have the knowledge their van offers the highest level of safety,” said Mr Goodwin.
The Ford Tourneo Custom is a people-mover variant of the Transit Custom sold in New Zealand.
Each of the Mercedes models scored an ‘acceptable’ rating for pedestrian protection. The Transit and Tourneo rated ‘marginal’.
Mercedes-Benz Vans managing director, Diane Tarr said any Vito ordered now would share the 5 star ANCAP rating, because they would be fitted with the same safety technologies as passenger cars.
“Since launch, we have experienced a good take up rate of the side airbag option on Vito, and vehicles so equipped are rated as 5 star. However we wanted to lift the bar even higher, and so we have worked with the factory to overcome Mercedes-Benz production limitations, and negotiated hard to make side impact bags standard equipment from July. As such all Vitos ordered from now will be rated as 5 star.”
ANCAP chief executive officer James Goodwin said Ford would join Mercedes-Benz as it entered the 5 star van rankings, although the Transit Custom had previously been rated 5 star in Europe.
“Transit drivers will now have the knowledge their van offers the highest level of safety,” he said.
The Ford Tourneo Custom is a people-mover variant of the Transit Custom sold in New Zealand.