MG GS first Chinese vehicle to get five-stars

ANCAP has today awarded the first five-star ANCAP safety rating to a Chinese vehicle with the MG GS rising to meet the top safety threshold. The medium-sized SUV increases its ANCAP (Australasia’s independent authority on vehicle safety) rating from four stars to five stars following a specification upgrade and strong performance in the pole test. “We initially assessed this model earlier this year and saw that while structurally it offered sound levels of occupant protection, its safety specification did not meet what is now expected as a minimum for a five-star car,” says ANCAP chief executive officer James Goodwin. “MG must be commended for upgrading this model and this achievement raises the bar for other similar brands entering the very competitive Australian new vehicle fleet,” Goodwin says. The five-star ANCAP safety rating applies to all MG GS models built from August 2017 and on sale from October 2017. The MG GS is produced by SAIC Motor and distributed by MG Motor Australia. Five-star ANCAP safety ratings have also been awarded to the Kia Rio and higher-specified variants of the Suzuki Swift, on sale from June 2017. “There is healthy competition within the light car segment, and the five-star rating for all variants of the Rio adds to this,” Goodwin says. Five-star thresholds were met by the Swift GL Navigator, GL Navigator with safety pack and the GLX Turbo, however, the base model Swift GL fell short resulting in a four-star rating. “The Swift is an affordable car and we would encourage consumers to opt for one of the higher specified models to ensure they’re getting the best safety package,” Goodwin added.