The New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP) second phase crash test is under way, and it is expected to finish in July 2013. Earlier announcement to the manufacturers during the ASEAN NCAP Open Day in January this year, where the results of the first phase were released, the second phase will also include Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) and Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs).

ASEAN NCAP’s Technical Committee (TC) Chairman, Mr. Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim said, “In this second phase we will have MPVs or SUVs, but we still will include passenger cars. We are aiming at different vehicle segment and as well different manufacturers (involved in the first phase) that produce cars for the region.”

He, who is also MIROS’ NCAP Development Manager, added that the Steering Committee of ASEAN NCAP has agreed in their most recent meeting in January 2013 on the appointment of Japan Automobile Research Institute (JARI) as the new official test lab and therefore becoming the first test lab outside the ASEAN region. However, JARI which is situated in Tsukuba, Tokyo, will only conduct crash test for Completely Built Unit (CBU) model which is targeted for ASEAN market. He also highlighted that in each test at JARI, three to four members of ASEAN NCAP as well as MIROS PC3 crash lab will present to witness and verifying the data.

“This is the continuity of collaboration between JARI and MIROS, since the day we started to build our team and facilities several years back and our people will also take this opportunity as learning and sharing platform. JARI was established more than 40 years ago and their people are unquestionably very experienced,” said Khairil Anwar.