Suzuki Auto South Africa (SA) has expressed significant concern over the recent #SaferCarsForAfrica report issued by the Global New Car Assessment Programme (GNCAP) in partnership with the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA). The report, published with several factual inconsistencies, utilized outdated and non-South African specification vehicle data, leading to questionable conclusions about Suzuki’s vehicle safety.
The #SaferCarsForAfrica Programme
The #SaferCarsForAfrica initiative, administered by the AASA, aims to provide unbiased assessments of vehicle safety with minimal involvement from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the countries where they operate. This independent testing is intended to offer a fair evaluation of the vehicles being tested, much like the #SaferCarsForIndia programme.
Discrepancies in the Report
Henno Havenga, General Manager for Sales and Marketing at Suzuki Auto South Africa, highlighted the discrepancies in the latest report. He pointed out that the report relied on data from a 2019 test of an older generation Indian specification Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. This vehicle, which lacks the safety upgrades added to newer models, was never available for sale in South Africa.
Key Issues Identified
- Outdated Model Used: The Ertiga tested in 2019 is an older generation model without recent safety enhancements.
- Irrelevant Market Specification: The tested vehicle was built for the Indian market, not the South African market.
- Changed Testing Protocols: The GNCAP’s testing protocols have evolved since 2019, rendering the old test data less relevant.
- Inconsistent Equipment: The quality and sensitivity of testing equipment, including crash test dummies, have likely improved, affecting comparability.
- Incorrect Identification: The Suzuki Ertiga was misidentified as a Renault Triber in some supporting documents.
- Discrepant Ratings: The same vehicle data resulted in a one-star rating in the recent report versus a three-star rating in 2019, without re-testing.
Impact on Suzuki’s Reputation
The report’s reliance on outdated and irrelevant data has significant implications. Suzuki Auto SA noted that the authors of the report did not communicate with them prior to publication, which deviates from past practices where manufacturers were informed in advance. This breakdown in communication prevented Suzuki from preparing a response to address the report’s inaccuracies.
Suzuki’s Commitment to Safety
Despite the report’s flaws, Suzuki Auto South Africa remains committed to vehicle safety. Suzuki’s proactive approach to safety improvements is evident in their previous enhancements to vehicle stability control across their passenger vehicle range and additional safety features in the S-Presso model, which improved its safety rating.
Call for Transparency and Accuracy
Suzuki Auto SA has engaged with its head office in Japan, manufacturing partners in India, and the AASA to seek clarification. The company emphasizes the importance of accuracy, transparency, and relevance in vehicle safety reports, urging the AASA to uphold these standards for the benefit of manufacturers and consumers alike.
Suzuki Auto South Africa’s response to the #SaferCarsForAfrica report underscores the need for meticulous and relevant vehicle safety assessments. By highlighting the discrepancies and advocating for fair testing practices, Suzuki aims to ensure that safety reports accurately reflect the vehicles on South African roads, thereby maintaining consumer trust and safety standards.
