The Tesla Model Y and Honda CR-V secured five-star safety ratings after being evaluated by the Taiwan New Car Assessment Program this quarter, the Vehicle Safety Certification Center said yesterday.
The program, which is funded by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, evaluates the safety of some of the best-selling vehicles in Taiwan by conducting collision tests using cars procured from retailers by secret buyers.
Results of the collision tests are made public each quarter.
Photo: CNA
This quarter’s report was the first time that the program evaluated an electric vehicle, Department of Public Transportation and Supervision Director-General Lin Fu-shan (林福山) said.
After the Honda CR-V previously secured a three-star rating, the Japanese manufacturer voluntarily underwent the test again and paid for the expenses after upgrading the vehicle, Lin said.
The program is to test the safety of the Tesla Model 3 next year, he said.
The Tesla Model Y scored 97 percent in adult occupant protection, 89 percent in child occupant protection, 78 percent in pedestrian protection and 79 percent in safety assistance, while scores for the Honda CR-V in the four categories were 97 percent, 89 percent, 75 percent and 69 percent respectively, the report showed.
Although Tesla Model Ys sold in Taiwan are equipped with a speed assist system, the system cannot process speed limit information conveyed by some traffic signals in Taiwan, such as a warning sign telling drivers to keep below 40kph due to foggy conditions, the center said.
The Honda CR-V’s safety rating was elevated to five stars from three because it upgraded safety equipment by including driver and front-seat passenger knee-protection airbags, front-seat passenger seat belt reminder devices, rear-seat side-chest-protection airbags, rear-seat belt-reminder devices and seat-belt shoulder height position adjusters, the center said.
Aside from the Tesla Model Y, the center said that it is to test the Honda HR-V, the Nissan Sentra, the Toyota Vios, the Lexus RX, the Hyundai Custin and the Toyota Town Ace, as well as the Hyundai Tucson and MG HS.
The center so far has tested the Toyota Corolla Cross, the Toyota RAV4, the Toyota Corolla Altis, the Toyota Sienta, the Ford Kuga, the Toyota Yaris, the Nissan Kicks, the Lexus NX, the Honda FIT and the Nissan X-Trail.
People can view the complete test results at www.tncap.org.tw.
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