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01-08-2007
Chinese
home-brand models are proving more reliable,
with enhanced ratings in the latest domestic
crash tests.
The national official vehicle laboratory, the
China Automotive Technology and Research Center,
gave four stars to the Besturn sedan, China
first self-branded model made by First Automotive
Works Group.
The relative low ratings on China self-developed
models once caused public concerns over quality
issues during a time when national auto vehicle
makers were planing to break into more mature
markets in their overseas ventures. All the
test results were subject to the Chinese version
of the New Car Assessment Program, an independent
vehicle-assessment scheme that is similar to
Euro-NCAP.
The national standard, launched last July, gave
safety ratings on how passengers are protected
after undergoing front, side and rear-end collisions.
It is quite encouraging that Chinese-branded
models are improving their safety standards
after increased investment, said Jia Xinguang,
an auto expert in Beijing.
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