Democratising safety: how AA NCAP chooses entry-level cars for crash tests

The Automobile Association of South Africa says its involvement in NCAP crash testing is guided by a single principle, which is making safety information accessible to the most vulnerable buyers.

“The ethos is democratising safety,” says Bobby Ramagwede, CEO of the AA. “That means the lens through which I’m looking at it is the most vulnerable buyer. It’s usually that buyer who has the biggest budgetary constraint.”

According to Ramagwede, the focus is not random, and it is not selective in a subjective sense. The starting point is always the entry-level segment.

“Key feature number one is that it must be an entry-level vehicle, because that’s where standard features matter most. Key feature number two is that it needs to be a popular entry-level vehicle, because I’m trying to have a lot of impact at the same time.”

Ramagwede says it means prioritising high-volume models that are widely accessible to first-time buyers and cost-conscious consumers.

“If I could, I’d take every entry-level vehicle and pass it through the lens, but unfortunately, I can’t do it. So I have to be selective. I choose popular, entry-level vehicles. It could be Chinese, it could be Korean, or any other manufacturer.”

How cars are selected and tested

The AA works within the framework of the Global NCAP #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign. Vehicles are purchased anonymously before manufacturers are notified of the impending test.

“Before we test it, we advise the manufacturer that we’re going to test it. Then we invite them to the test, and after the test, they get the results before I do,” Ramagwede explained.

He says manufacturers’ head offices are aware of the process from early on.

“The head offices are very aware of testing, when it starts, and how it’s going. They join and actually witness it.”

By the time results are made public - including star ratings for adult and child occupant protection - the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has already seen the outcome.

“There’s continuous communication,” he says. “The intention is to get the OEM to either remove the car from circulation if they’re not prepared to upgrade its safety, or upgrade the vehicle.”

Why engagement matters

Ramagwede pointed to the Volkswagen Polo Vivo as an example of how this process can lead to changes.

“It’s our little success story. We crashed it, it failed. VWGA CEO Martina Biene said, ‘Hell no, this is not going to continue under my watch.’”

Following the initial result, Volkswagen revised the safety specification and volunteered two additional vehicles for re-testing.

“They revised the safety features, re-crashed it, and it passed. She took it back and implemented the airbag on the line.”

The AA’s position is that the process is designed not only to inform consumers but to influence product specification at the base level.

“In our eyes, three stars should be the minimum.”

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro and messaging around safety

The recent two-star adult occupant protection rating for the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro under the Global NCAP programme has reignited debate around safety claims and marketing.

Ramagwede says manufacturers are aware of the results before public release. In the case of Chery, he questions the timing of their safety-related messaging.

“If you look at the timeline of when we tested the car, and when HQ knew, all of a sudden this little crash test that they did for journalists in South Africa - by then, they knew what was coming.”

He adds that broader communication around five-star ratings for other markets also formed part of the messaging.

“Even their range-topping car claiming five-star Euro that we don’t sell. They knew this news was coming. So they started offsetting.”

According to Ramagwede, this creates a diversion between promotional material and independently verified results.

“When they do that, you are PR-ing that your car is safe. We now have these results. We need to call you out on all the things you’ve been saying because it is misleading in terms of how you’ve been doing your build-up.

"The AA’s role is not to target brands but to apply consistent scrutiny to high-volume, entry-level models in the interest of consumer transparency,” Ramagwede maintained.