Progress made in terms of car safety in recent decades have been impressive. It is enough to compare the models of the 60s and 70s with today’s to appreciate the degree of progress. From steel bodies to aluminum bodies, security cameras to laminated windshieldswith airbags to headrests… And, of course, we must not forget the many modern electronic aids such as emergency braking assistance, ABS or ESP ! While some brands have been pioneers in onboard safety, such as Volvo and Mercedes-Benz, other manufacturers have faced significant challenges in making their models as safe. This is especially true Chinese manufacturers which, trying to cut costs, had at first neglected basic safety structures and equipment.

Forced arrival to Europe

Today, Chinese manufacturers go from success to success, multiplying brands and models in Europe, in all market categories, both for private and passenger cars. This is all the more impressive considering that it was only ten years ago they were mostly ignored due to the safety deficiencies of their vehicles. In 2005, for example, the Landwind X9, the first Chinese model distributed in Europe, failed catastrophically in a crash test, becoming “stillborn” model on the Old Continent. A few years ago, another Chinese car authorized in Europe, the Suda 01, attracted attention for this equally disturbing aspect. But since Europe has changed its mind, and European consumers are now ready to buy Chinese cars. The result of the huge progress they have made in terms of active and passive safety.

Consecration for Chinese manufacturers

In 2023 Euro NCAP, the European organization that conducts crash tests to compare the safety of new models entering the market, has 9 Chinese models of the maximum rating were “awarded”. : 5 stars! It evaluates them, in particular, according to 4 criteria: adult protection, child protection, pedestrian protection and safety assistance (driving aids and avoidance technologies). BYD is the most awarded manufacturer, with four models (Dolhpin, Seal, Seal U and Tang). Follows him two Xpeng models (G9 and P7, two Nio models (EL7 and ET5), and by clever #3 (development of the Chinese Geely). But that’s not all: The Nio ET5 was even the safest car rated by Euro NCAP this year, all nationalities combined, overtaking the new Volkswagen ID.7. How far away it seems the time of Chinese rolling coffins…

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