China carmakers excel in Euro NCAP crash safety test

Lynk & Co and Nio have proved that China-made cars are truly capable of competing at the world level. This follows the top ratings the Lynk & Co 01 and Nio ES8 SUVs achieved in the latest Euro NCAP crash safety test, each scoring the full five stars.

The 01 fared surprisingly well, in some instances scoring higher than the Audi Q4 e-tron and Volkswagen ID.4. It netted a score of 96% (or 36.8 out of 38 points) in the adult occupant protection test, achieving full marks in the lateral impact and rescue and extrication tests.

It’s also only 0.1 point shy of bagging the full score in crash tests involving children under the age of 10. The unavailability of Isofix child seat anchoring points on the front passenger seat and integrated child restraint seat system were the only reasons the 01 scored 87% in the child occupant safety test.

Structurally, the SUV is solid, but Euro NCAP noted a dip in performance in the vulnerable road user test phase. “The bonnet provided predominantly good or adequate protection to the head of a struck pedestrian, with some poor results at the base of the stiff windscreen pillars,” it said in the report.

The 01 is fitted with autonomous emergency braking which also detects pedestrians and cyclists. In Euro NCAP’s tests of its reaction to cyclists, the system performed well, with collisions avoided in most scenarios tested. The 01 scored 81% for the level of safety features it offers.

The Nio ES8 luxury SUV is another fresh European debutant. It’s a massive one, weighing about 2,435 kg, or close to 700 kg more than the Lynk & Co 01. Still, it achieved the full five star rating, scoring 82% and 84% in the adult and child occupant protection tests. Its 92% score in the safety assist assessment is also excellent, owing to its vast range of advanced driver assist systems.

Euro NCAP secretary general, Michiel van Ratingen said: “A wave of China-made new energy vehicles in Europe is underway, with new models launched by BYD, Xpeng, DFSK, Seres, etc. Unfortunately, many of these are still not so transparent to European consumers when it comes to safety.”

“Lynk & Co and Nio, however, show that ‘Made in China’ is not longer a pejorative term when it comes to car safety. Here, we have two new cars, both Chinese-developed, performing extremely well in our tests.”

“It’s clear that all manufacturers know that Euro NCAP will hold them to high standards if they want to sell cars in Europe and gratifying that they’re prepared to make the investment to get the best safety ratings,” he continued.