Global NCAP is looking to bestow the prestigious accolade of Africa’s first five-star car through its newly launched Safer Choice Africa Award.

The Award follows the launch of the Safer Choice India Award in February to encourage automakers to achieve the highest levels of safety performance.

In November last year, Global NCAP and the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) released the first ever independent crash test results for cars sold in Africa. The results showed a wide range of safety performance, from four to zero stars for adult protection, with the lowest ratings resulting in a high probability of life threatening injury in a road crash.

“Our Safer Choice India Award was welcomed by manufacturers and consumers alike,” said Global NCAP Secretary General David Ward. “Now we would like to encourage the African automobile market to respond to the call for zero-star cars to be driven off Africa’s roads and we very much look forward to the first automaker in Africa to achieve the accolade of five-star Safer Choice performance.”

To qualify for a Global NCAP Safer Choice Award in Africa and India, a car model must achieve all of the following requirements:

  • A 5-star score for Adult Occupant Protection in accordance with the latest version of the Global NCAP New Market Test protocol.
  • At least a 4-star result in Child Occupant Protection in accordance with latest version of the Global NCAP New Market Test protocol.
  • Offer Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and meet performance requirements according to United Nations Regulations UN13H, UN140 or GTR9. Where optional, ESC must be available on all the model variants, sold separately without any “bundling” with other features, and as from two years onwards must be a standard fit to at least 20 percent of the sales volume in the country.
  • Must meet Pedestrian Protection requirements according to United Nations Regulations UN127 or GTR9, which must be validated on market units at a Global NCAP designated testing laboratory.

“This Award will be a unique opportunity for car manufacturers and importers in Africa to highlight and market their commitment to vehicle safety, and road safety on the continent,” said CEO of the AA Collins Khumalo. “It will also allow them to differentiate themselves by making safer cars available to consumers. We are thrilled to partner with Global NCAP on this important Award and believe it is a critical step towards achieving our goals of making travel safer on our continent.”