Global NCAP Asks GM To Improve South American Cars After Record Zero-Star Ratings

The lack of airbags and other safety requirements such as seatbelt pretensioners on Chevrolet cars sold in South America has led to record zero-star safety ratings.

In an unprecedented measure, Global NCAP, a vehicle safety organization that works with governments and new car assessment programs (NCAP), has written a letter to General Motors’ CEO, Mary Barra, asking for safety improvements in the Chevrolet Sail and Aveo.

“GM has chosen to exploit the weak application of minimum crash test standards in Latin America to provide a version of the car that the company would be unable to sell either in Europe or North America“, said the Global NCAP secretary general David Ward, quoted by MotoringResearch.

According to the letter, Euro NCAP warned General Motors in 2006 that the Aveo’s body shell becomes unstable in crash tests and the same issue has been discovered on the South American version, with dummies indicating “an unacceptable high risk of life-threatening injury“.

GM’s answer to Global NCAP’s letter came through a spokesman, who said: “GM shares the goal of improving road safety worldwide, including the adoption of basic auto safety standards in global markets and the phase-out of zero-star cars.“

General Motors plans to spend $5 billion to improve its cars sold in Latin America and other emerging markets, having them meet the United Nation standards with twin airbags and 3-point seatbelts for all occupants. However, the new vehicle family isn’t expected to appear before the 2019 MY.

GM isn’t the only automaker gunned by Global NCAP, as similar safety scores can be found vehicles from other manufacturers sold in South America.