Gap in 4WD safety says car industry

Land Transport New Zealand is promising to introduce frontal impact standards for imported four-wheel-drive vehicles after car companies accused the agency of inaction.

The Motor Industry Association accused the agency yesterday of sending consumers a dangerously mixed message in highlighting a need for head-protecting side airbags in new 4WDs, while continuing to let older models into the country with few if any safety features.

The criticism followed yesterday's release of results from the latest round of Australian crash tests. Association chief executive Perry Kerr said it was "completely obvious" airbags prevented head injuries.

Yet 4WDs and vans continued to be imported without having to meet Japanese-market frontal impact standards, unlike used cars, which he said were effectively restricted to post-1996 models by having to pass that test.

Mr Kerr claimed Land Transport was keeping imported 4WDs, some of which were unstable in emergencies, in the "too-hard basket".

Agency spokeswoman Janice Rodenburg denied this last night, saying frontal impact standards had been introduced in stages, and these would eventually be extended to all vehicles.

But the timing of this would depend on the priorities of the Transport Safety Minister in the new Government.

Mr Kerr's criticism followed a call by the Automobile Association for manufacturers to include head-protecting side airbags as standard equipment in new 4WDs, to prevent injuries from crashing into poles or trees.

Only the Subaru Forester, of 10 non-luxury 4WDs subjected to the latest crash tests, won five stars for maximum protection of its occupants in frontal and side smashes.

The vehicles were driven front-on into barriers at 64km/h, and were subjected to side impact tests at 50km/h.

Toyota's RAV4 and Prado both provided good head protection in side impacts.

But the AA and Land Transport warned that occupants of the Lexus RX330, another Toyota product, and the Mazda Tribute risked serious head injuries.

Despite that, both vehicles won above-average four-star ratings for overall occupant safety, as did Toyota's Landcruiser, Mitsubishi's Outlander and Pajero models, and the Ford Escape.

The only 4WD to receive a lower, three-star, rating was the Nissan Patrol.

Four-wheel-drives account for 5.9 per cent of New Zealand's road fleet.

Test results are available at http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/vehicle-safety/ancap/index.html and on

www.aa.co.nz