Two of South Africa’s best-selling cars fall short on safety
The Kia Sonet and GWM Haval Jolion, two of South Africa’s best-selling cars, have been found to fall short on safety, following Global NCAP’s latest #SaferCarsForAfrica crash test results.
Out of five stars, the Kia Sonet scored a one-star rating for adult occupant protection while the GWM Haval Jolion scored two stars.
Both models received three stars for child occupant protection.
The results are the latest to be published in Global NCAP’s #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign and highlight a worrying reality in South Africa’s automotive market.
This spring, the outgoing version of the Toyota Starlet, again one of the nation’s best-selling vehicles, received a zero-star rating for adult occupant protection.
"It is unacceptable that global manufacturers continue to sell cars in Africa with safety standards they would never offer in markets like Europe,” said Richard Woods, CEO of Global NCAP.
“The Kia Sonet's one star result and the GWM Haval Jolion's two star result show how far the industry still has to go. African motorists deserve the same life-saving protection as drivers in the rest of the world.”
The results - Kia Sonet
The Kia Sonet tested is a five-door SUV weighing 1,358 kilograms.
While the model came equipped with driver and passenger frontal airbags as well as Electronic Stability Control, it did not include side head protection airbags as standard.
The crash test report noted that both the footwell area and bodyshell were unstable and not capable of withstanding further loadings.
Poor chest protection observed in the side impact test limited the adult protection rating to one star, while abdomen protection was rated as adequate.
A side pole test could not be conducted as side head protection airbags are not fitted as standard.
Meanwhile for Child Occupant Protection, both child dummies received full protection in the dynamic test. However, the absence of 3-point belts in all seating positions, no passenger airbag disabling switch and a low CRS installation score resulted in a three-star rating.
The results - Haval Jolion
The Haval Jolion is a five-door SUV weighing 1,620 kilograms.
Like the Kia Sonet, it came fitted with driver and passenger frontal airbags and Electronic Stability Control but it also has driver and passenger side body airbags.
It does not, however, have side head protection airbags
The Haval Jolion was found to have good protection for the head, neck and chest during frontal impact, while knee protection was marginal.
The side movable barrier test showed good protection and the Electronic Stability Control fitted, like in the Kia Sonet, is found to meet Global NCAP requirements.
Again, a side pole test was not conducted because side head protection airbags are not fitted as standard.
For Child Occupant Protection, the Haval Jolion was given a three-star rating. While both child dummies received full protection in the dynamic test, the model was found to have a lack of proper marking and no passenger airbag disabling switch.
Bobby Ramagwede, CEO of the Automobile Association of South Africa, said that the nation’s motorists should exercise “extreme caution” when purchasing a new or used entry-level vehicle.
“The recent series of crash tests has shown a worrying trend with entry-level models on sale in South Africa lacking adequate crash safety and, perhaps more worryingly, very few of the vehicles tested offering safety ratings similar to those of the same models on sale abroad,” Ramagwede said.
“The tests also show the significant difference that basic safety features such as side-impact airbags and Electronic Stability Control can make. These features offer a major safety boost to any vehicle and, in most cases, can be added with only a marginal increase in vehicle price.”
Automakers respond
Both automakers have issued a response to the latest Global NCAP crash test results.
A statement from GWM South Africa said the company is working to align the safety specifications of its entry-level models “more closely” with those of higher-grade variants.
“To this end, future Haval Jolion City and Jolion Pro Premium models will be equipped with curtain airbags as standard, further enhancing occupant protection and overall vehicle safety,” the company stated.
“We value the role of independent safety assessments in advancing automotive safety standards and will continue investing in technologies and features that provide greater peace of mind for our customers.”
Kia acknowledged the one-star and three-star ratings for the Sonet.
Whilst the group said that its vehicles meet safety requirements set by South African authorities, the company added that other models with additional safety measures will be entering the market later this year.
The group outlined the safety features of the Sonet LS and said the Sonet LS+ variant will come with greater protection.
“Kia South Africa can confirm that the Sonet LS+ will be introduced to the local line-up in the third quarter of this year, expanding the range with an additional derivative that offers six airbags as standard,” said the group.
The group added that six airbags come as standard in Kia’s Sonet EX+ and SX derivatives, providing side body and side curtain protection in addition to the dual front airbags. ADAS technology was also highlighted for the SX derivative.
With an endorsement, Kia South Africa CEO Paul Turnbull said: “Kia South Africa recognises the #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign’s role in raising safety standards across the continent and, furthermore, welcomes independent assessment as a mechanism for accountability and continuous improvement across the industry.”
