Plumbing Connection Spring 2016

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Mercedes-Benz and Ford have both reinforced the strong
safety credentials for their commercial vans with the
Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP)
handing down maximum five-star crash-test ratings for the Vito
and Transit Custom respectively.
The Vito’s five-star rating is based on the inclusion of head-
protecting side (curtain) airbags, which are optional equipment.
Without them, the rating falls to four stars, although Mercedes
has advised that it will implement a running change to
production of the Vito, with the curtain airbags fitted standard to
all vehicles built from July 2016.
Standard fitment will see all Vito variants built from
this date secure a five-star rating from the independent
authority, which is considered the key benchmark in determining
the crashworthiness and overall safety of
vehicles in the marketplace.
“For commercial buyers, many of whom are now required by
their employers to have a vehicle with a five-star ANCAP safety
rating, these ratings open the door to a number of new vehicle
choices,” said ANCAP chief executive James Goodwin.
“Mercedes-Benz has taken the responsible action to work
with ANCAP to improve safety and address the four-star
result. This is an encouraging outcome for safety and should be
commended for working quickly to implement these important
safety improvements.”
The latest results see Ford join Mercedes-Benz with five-star
van rankings for the first time, which Mr Goodwin said was an
important consideration for tradespeople.
“The Transit is a popular choice for large and small
commercial operators such as tradespeople,” he said. “Transit
drivers will now have the knowledge their van offers the highest
level of safety.”
The Transit Custom’s rating applies to Australian vehicles
built from March 2014 onwards (or New Zealand variants from
March 2016). The Blue Oval van received 84% for adult occupant
protection and 90% for child occupant protection, while its
pedestrian protection was less impressive, rated as ‘marginal’.
Among the standard safety features on board are dual front,
side chest and side head-protecting curtain airbags for the front
passengers. An advanced seatbelt reminder is also fitted to the
driver’s seat.
Vito’s top rating is based on crash-test data from the related
V-Class and applies to all van and crew cab variants fitted with
curtain airbags, which add to other standard safety features
including dual front airbags. Its adult occupant protection rating
was an excellent 93%, child occupant protection was rated at
87%, while pedestrian protection was deemed ‘acceptable’.
No other rival vans tested by ANCAP have reached this level,
with some achieving four stars – the Toyota HiAce, Hyundai
iLoad, Renault Kangoo and Citroen Berlingo among them – while
others have performed below this mark, including the LDV V80
and Suzuki APV, which have received a three-star result.
A number of one-tonne utes – including the top-selling
Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Holden Colorado, Nissan Navara,
Mitsubishi Triton, Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50 and Volkswagen
Amarok – are also now at the five-star mark (sometimes only
in certain variants) as manufacturers build an increasingly high
level of crash performance into their commercial vehicles, and
as many operators consider the top safety rating as a mandatory
requirement in their purchase decision.
>Mercedes-Benz
>Ford
MERCEDES VITO, FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM