Euro NCAP's aim is to provide motoring consumers - both drivers and the automotive industry - with a realistic and independent assessment of the safety performance of some of the most popular cars sold in Europe. Established in 1997 and now backed by seven European Governments, the European Commission and motoring and consumer organisations in every EU country, Euro NCAP has rapidly become a catalyst for encouraging significant safety improvements to new car design.
When buying a new car EuroNCAP.com will help to give you the information you need to choose safety Euro NCAP (The European New Car Assessment Programme) is regarded today as one of the most important benchmarks for passive safety. Its offset crash test is even more stringent than the EU’s legal requirement that has been in force since October 1998. Among the organisers of the Euro NCAP are the British and Swedish transport authorities, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), the German ADAC (automobile club) as well as other European automobile clubs.
From the formation of Euro NCAP, the FIA took the lead in promoting the programme and in discussions with other potential members. As a consequence, more European governments and the ADAC joined. Support for the programme was also provided by the European Commission. Much more recently, Thatcham has joined the programme, on behalf of British Insurers. As Euro NCAP’s influence grew, new batches of test results were reported, about twice each year, and car manufacturers started to sponsor the testing of their own cars. As new car models replaced those already tested, the improvements in their occupant star ratings could be clearly seen. Unfortunately, improvements were far slower to emerge for pedestrian protection.
In June 2001, a further milestone was reached when the Renault Laguna became the first car to be awarded 5 stars for occupant protection. Although other cars were awarded 5 stars later, it was suggested that the requirements were too severe for a supermini. However, in November 2004, the Renault Modus became the first supermini to gain 5 stars. Standards have now risen so much that it is common for cars to achieve this rating and increasingly manufacturers see 5 stars as the goal for all their new models.
