15 hours ago
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Euro NCAP has reached out to Chinese brands to consult on upcoming safety standard changes, allowing them to better harmonise their systems.
The active safety systems across many Chinese brands, which have been criticised for being overzealous and rudimentary, are set for an overhaul as they come to the table with Euro NCAP guidelines.
Speaking to with global media, Euro NCAP secretary general Dr Michiel van Ratingen said Chinese marques had not yet been given the opportunity in the consultation phase to lay out new safety protocols, but more brands are coming to the table.
“Next time there will [be Chinese brands as part of safety protocol update consultation], this time there wasn’t because this was done in 2021, I think,” van Ratingen said.
“Right after COVID, it was very difficult to travel, so the next one will definitely involve Chinese members.
“My impression is that they are really keen to be involved in this process.
“Normally it’s not that we choose who we talk to, normally, we say ‘we have this opportunity, this is our view, do you want to share your thoughts about it?’
“It’s more like an invitation, and then normally they respond to that, so I’m almost 100 per cent sure that the Chinese will respond to that this time around.”
While Euro NCAP – and by extension ANCAP who is aligned with testing – update criteria for a maximum five-star safety score every three years, the planning and consultation for the changes happens much sooner.
The safety bodies will begin the process of exploring the 2029 protocol changes now, despite having only introduced a new set of rules earlier this year and not yet assessing any vehicle to the latest standards.
With the 2026 protocols having been worked on from as far back as 2020, it stands to reason only European brands were able to have input due to the global pandemic that stymied international travel.
As a result, many of the Chinese systems – including lane keep assist and driver monitoring – are often now seen as uncompetitive and not well suited to European and Australian conditions.
However, with Euro NCAP now assessing the robustness of functionality on systems such as traffic sign recognition in the 2026 rules, the 2029 changes will likely build upon this.
It is expected that smarter driver monitoring logic and better integration of advanced safety systems will play a more crucial role in scoring the maximum five stars from 2029 onwards.
With Chinese brands at the table on the ground floor of the changes, it is also likely they will better be able to tailor their products to meet the new testing criteria, and therefore yield a product more suited to real-world scenarios.
At present, many Chinese brands have achieved five safety stars for including many desirable systems, but their functionality and accuracy leaves a lot to be desired.
Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
