- Chery staged a Tiggo7 truck crash test.
- Impact speed was 50 km/h.
- AA calls the test misleading.
- Tiggo 7 Pro scored two stars for adults.
- Results available at www.aa.co.za.
The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) has labelled a truck-to-vehicle crash test staged by the Chery Group as a publicity stunt. The test took place earlier this week at a Chery Summit in China. On its Chery International Facebook page, the carmaker said the Tiggo7 “stood strong and cleared the challenge with confidence” in the 50 km/h impact.
Earlier Chery Tiggo 9 collision test
This is not the first time the AA has raised the issue. Earlier this year it called out a similar activation. At that time Global NCAP noted a dual-vehicle collision test by Chery SA in South Africa last year, in which two Tiggo 9 SUVs collided in a 50% offset head-on impact at 50 km/h.
Global NCAP said the results of such tests are not recognised by the organisation. It added that consumers should ensure any safety rating claimed by a manufacturer has been conducted and endorsed by the Global NCAP facility and team.
Tiggo 7 Pro Global NCAP results
The choice of model drew comment from the AA. Earlier this year, in the #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign, the Tiggo 7 Pro received two stars for adult occupant protection because it lacked standard side head protection for front and rear occupants. Child occupant protection was rated at three stars, although the child restraint system failed installation in all front rearward-facing positions, as the passenger airbag cannot be disconnected.
These findings applied to entry-level models in the Tiggo 7 range on sale in South Africa. Global NCAP tested the previous-generation Tiggo 7 Pro Distinction, and the current Tiggo 7 Prime, which opens the new range, lacks the same safety features.
How Global NCAP crash tests work
According to the AA, the protocol is conducted at laboratories in Germany using crash test dummies fitted with sensors that measure in millimetres and milliseconds. Assessors look at head injuries, neck shear and tension, chest compression and knee and femur loads, along with structural integrity, pillar displacement, footwell integrity and airbag deployment.
Between 2014 and 2026, the organisation completed more than 100 assessments covering vehicles sold in India and Africa. For a rating to be recognised locally, a vehicle must be assessed under #SaferCarsForAfrica, unless the derivative has been tested under another recognised programme such as Euro NCAP or ANCAP.
AA call to Chery and other manufacturers
The association has asked the Chery Group to submit the criteria and findings from its Summit test to Global NCAP for analysis. It also urges manufacturers to volunteer vehicles for testing at NCAP-recognised facilities. All #SaferCarsForAfrica results to date are available at www.aa.co.za.
Supplied by QuickPic (AA)
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