ANCAP gives Ford Mustang two stars
The Ford Mustang has been given a two-star safety rating from car-safety advocate ANCAP. The Mustang V8 Fastback, produced from December 2015 onwards, was the model rated, with other variants yet to be tested. It was the highest-selling non-tested vehicle model, with nearly 1,000 sold in New Zealand since its 2015 launch, AA motoring services general manager Stella Stocks called the rating “extremely disappointing” in a statement. “It’s not what we’d expect from Ford or any major vehicle manufacturer today, especially when ANCAP testing protocols are well known by all car makers,” she said. Stocks also pointed out that the right-hand drive Mustang (sold in European and Australian markets) is a different specification to the variant found in the United States. “Ford recently unveiled its newest models in the United States, which appear to have more safety assist and crash prevention technology on board, but they’re not expected in New Zealand until the end of the next year,” she said. “Also, we won’t know what will be included on the New Zealand models yet.” Stocks urged the timely release of the safer Mustang on New Zealand shores. In a statement, ANCAP CEO Mr James Goodwin called the results “simply shocking for such a newly designed and popular model.” ANCAP tests the safety of adult and child occupants and the ability to avoid a crash. While adult protection scored 72 per cent, which measures full width, frontal offset, side impact, pole and whiplash protection, child protection scored only 32 per cent. Safety assist scored the lowest at just 16 per cent, which ultimately decided the vehicle’s low rating. Godwin observed the Mustang lacked speed assistance systems, lane support systems, AEB, rear seat-belt reminders and forward collision warning. “Of concern, the full width frontal test showed a risk of serious head, chest and leg injury for the rear passenger.” He said, adding, “There was also insufficient inflation of both the driver and front passenger airbags in the frontal offset test.” The driver’s door opened during the pole test, and whiplash protection for rear-end collisions was “marginal.” ANCAP is widely supported by all Australian motoring clubs, the New Zealand Automobile Association, the Australian Government, the New Zealand Government, Australian state and territory governments, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.