Kajang, Malaysia, 9 December 2024 – The New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP) today released its latest assessment result on the NETA V model. The model which is the first electric vehicle (EV) brand tested at the MIROS Provisional CRASE Crash Centre (PC3) in Malaysia made a very disappointing outcome with a Zero-Star result, making it the first model to have a zero star rating under the ASEAN NCAP 2021–2025 protocol.
The tested NETA V is sold in Malaysia, achieved an overall score of 28.55 points in the assessment with 7.89 points for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) category, 13.51 points for Child Occupant Protection (COP), 7.14 points for Safety Assist (SA) and 0.00 point for Motorcyclist Safety (MS) category.
The single-variant EV model that is also marketed in Brunei, Indonesia and Thailand offers 2 airbags, Seatbelt Reminder System (SBR) for driver only, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard. The model underwent the frontal offset crash test and side impact test under the AOP category. Unfortunately, the NETA V made a disappointing performance in which it obtained zero point for the frontal offset test with the driver received poor protection on the head, neck, chest and right lower leg. In the side impact test, the model only achieved 6.31 points over 8.00 points with the dummy received marginal protection to the chest. Furthermore, the model is not fitted with any Head Protection Technology (HPT) equipment, which has resulted in it not earning any points for the assessment.
In the dynamic assessment for the COP category, the NETA V performed well in both frontal offset and side impact tests. However, the model received poor points for the Child Restraint System (CRS) installation and vehicle based assessments. Despite having ISOFIX and top tether fitment, the model is unable to have a friendly fitment installation to more than half of the list of CRS that ASEAN NCAP recommended.
The new EV hatchback did not offer Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) for City and Inter-Urban, Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keep Assist (LKA) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW). In addition, all the technologies that ASEAN NCAP is assessing under the MS category such as Blind Spot Technology (BST), Auto High Beam (AHB) and Pedestrian Protection (PP) are not available in the model.
Based on the tests that ASEAN NCAP conducted, the frontal offset test showed poor protection to the frontal occupants starting with weak body structure and compromised restraint system which greatly endangering the safety of the car occupants. The seatbelts equipped for both of the car’s frontal occupants do not have any retractor pre-tensioner and load limiters. Hence, without these crucial technologies for the seatbelt, it had caused higher risk injuries to the tested dummy to be in contact with the steering wheel or airbag, as proven through this test. Steering wheel displacement is one of the modifiers that ASEAN NCAP found post-crash apart from integrity of passenger compartment and A-pillar displacement. Detailed information regarding the passive safety and active safety performances of the NETA V is accessible from the model’s result report at ASEAN NCAP website.
Ownership of EV has recently become a trend among vehicle consumers across the South East Asian region. The stylish design and enticing devices equipped inside the cars have certainly been an attraction for road users to purchase the vehicle. Nevertheless, safety features equipped in the cars are also critical points to be considered when purchasing a car. NETA V disappointing result in ASEAN NCAP assessment is a reflection for other EV brands to not compromise basic safety equipment in cars. A basic safety equipment such as retractor pre-tensioner and load limiter for the seatbelts can result in significant outcomes for the safety of the vehicle occupants. With high competition amongst EV manufacturers, it is important for manufacturers to place safety as the main priority when developing a vehicle. We at MIROS and ASEAN NCAP encourage all manufacturers, especially from the EV brands, to make safety as priority as we aim for the global target of halving road fatalities across the region.
The current ASEAN NCAP 2021–2025 assessment protocol encompasses four assessment domains, with AOP covering 40.00 points of the overall score, and COP, SA, and MS each contributing 20.00 points of the overall score.
Full press release of NETA V assessment
NETA V result report
Crash test video of NETA V
