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ORA Funky Cat in Euro NCAP's side pole impact test
ORA Funky Cat in Euro NCAP's side pole impact test

Press release -

Tesla sets new ADAS performance benchmark, new Chinese entrants also gain five-star Euro NCAP ratings

Another strong batch of vehicle scores has been announced in the latest round of Euro NCAP testing, with all but one achieving a five-star rating.

Matthew Avery, Chief Research Strategy Officer from Thatcham Research, comments:

“The Tesla Model Y has aced testing, securing outstanding all-round safety ratings. It has scored the highest grade ever seen in the Safety Assist category at 98% along with 2022’s highest Adult Occupant Protection score of 97%. In this respect, Tesla is setting the standard for emergency safety system performance.”

New Chinese brands plug into safety

Avery continues, “In another first, all the cars tested in this group are EVs, as electrified powertrains continue to dominate the market.

“It’s reassuring to see that EVs are continuing to match, if not exceed, the safety performance of their petrol-powered counterparts.

“Also of note are the five-star Euro NCAP ratings awarded to two new entrants from China.

"The ORA Funky Cat and WEY Coffee 01 scored 93% and 94% in Safety Assist respectively, placing them behind only the Model Y in terms of crash-avoidance capability.

“Both vehicles were also impressive in terms of the protection offered to occupants should an accident occur.

“This is comforting news for those who were concerned that an influx of new market entrants from China might bring the safety standard down.”

Safety and Total Cost of Ownership

Miller Crockart, Chief Revenue Officer, Thatcham Research comments:

"Competition in the European new car market is only going to intensify, and it is those brands that look at the whole picture and market conditions that will succeed.

“The intelligence from insurers is that in today’s economic climate, it’s ever more important that emerging brands, especially EV start-ups and specialists, design and develop vehicles with ‘Total Cost of Ownership’ in mind. So, alongside strong safety performance, the maintainability and repairability of these vehicles is also important, as is securing ample parts supply and a competitive and qualified repair and bodyshop network.”

Chinese models tested by Euro NCAP to date:

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Thatcham Research is the independent voice of automotive safety, security & repair, advising motorists, insurers and vehicle manufacturers to help reduce accident frequency, severity and costs and to realise the vision of ‘Safer cars, fewer crashes’, while driving standards in vehicle security.

As well as its world leading crash and track research, Thatcham Research develops repair methods amongst a number of other products and services within the collision repair industry for insurers, motor manufacturers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers.

In addition, Thatcham Research has administered the Association of British Insurer’s (ABI) Group Rating system for the past 50 years. Group Rating is an advisory system intended to provide insurers with the relative risk of private cars and light commercial vehicles.

A founder member of the international Research Council for Automobile Repairs (RCAR), Thatcham Research has also been a member of the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) since 2004.

Contacts

Tom Flisher

Tom Flisher

Press contact PR Manager 07876 755 615

Thatcham Research

Safer cars, fewer crashes...

As the UK's only insurer funded automotive research centre, Thatcham Research enjoy a wide remit at the forefront of the latest vehicle technology. Thatcham's leading work in vehicle safety and security has a vital role in shaping the designs of new vehicles, whilst the centre is also seen as a key industry player at the forefront of driving standards in vehicle body repair.

Thatcham's Crash Laboratory is the only official UK crash testing centre for consumer safety body Euro NCAP and are viewed as a centre of excellence when it comes to active vehicle safety, particularly the evaluation of new Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) which provide the foundation for future vehicle autonomy.

Enjoying an increasingly global influence in both the insurance and automotive sectors, Thatcham Research expertise is in great demand with a range of opinion leaders being regularly asked to provide their experience and know-how at high profile events and in the media, living up to their reputation as ‘Experts in Safety, Security and Crash Repair’.

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