Safety no-go for Nissan

11 November 2014 - 02:01 By Wendy Knowler
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CONSUMERS BEWARE: The Datsun GO failed its crash test. Image: globalncap.org
CONSUMERS BEWARE: The Datsun GO failed its crash test. Image: globalncap.org

An international car safety body has given a zero safety rating to the Datsun GO, a budget car launched in South Africa three weeks ago, and urged Nissan to withdraw it from the market.

Nissan SA launched two models of the Indian-made five-seater hatchback last month. Selling for R89,500 and R99,500 respectively and aimed mainly at first-time car buyers, neither model has airbags or anti-lock braking systems.

Max Mosley, chairman of the UK-based Global New Car Assessment Programme, slated the car in his letter to Nissan president and CEO Carlos Ghosn last week.

"The vehicle structure collapsed during the [crash] test, and the high forces placed on the dummies pose a grave risk of death or serious injury," he wrote.

 

"The GO's body-shell is so unstable that it would be pointless to include airbags in the car."

It was "extremely disappointing" that Nissan authorised the launch of a model that was "so clearly sub-standard", he said.

"I would urge you to withdraw the Datsun GO from sale in India and other markets where it is being sold, pending a re-design of the car's body-shell to make it worthwhile to fit airbags."

Absorbed by Nissan in the early '80s, the Datsun brand has been resurrected as the Japanese carmaker's budget brand.

At the weekend, local journalists scheduled to test drive the car were told bookings were cancelled "as the Datsuns have been held back".

Contacted for comment, Datsun South Africa general manager Des Fenner told The Times that the cars remained on sale and available to motoring journalists who wished to evaluate them.

"The cars meet South African vehicle regulations," he said. "We are awaiting information on the actual test standards which were applied, but we feel very comfortable with the vehicle's rigidity."

Safety was a concern, Fenner said, hence the car had been designed to decrease the risk of having "a horrific accident". Large ventilated disc brakes and the lightweight body made it easy to bring the car to a stop, he said.

"The car offers real value for money to someone who's driving a very old car or catching taxis."

GET IN TOUCH: You can contact Wendy Knowler via email: consumer@knowler.co.za or on Twitter: @wendyknowler. She's In Your Corner for consumer issues.

 

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