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GM Is Under Fire from Global NCAP for Poor Crash Test Results in Latin NCAP

General Motors' poor crash test results in Latin NCAP tests are being criticized by several organizations.
Chevrolet Sail tested by Latin NCAP 1 photo
Photo: Latin NCAP
Latin NCAP, the South American equivalent of EuroNCAP and IIHS, has held a meeting in Washington with other members of road safety agencies. Among the guests and speakers stood American safe-car advocate Ralph Nader, author of the famous “Unsafe at any speed.”

Mr. Nader criticized General Motors' quest for profit in South America, where it sells cars that have been deliberately stripped of safety features developed for them.

The assessment comes from knowing that GM manufactures the same models for other markets with airbags, ESP, and other driver aids as standard, but these do not receive the same amenities for the Mexican market, for example.

Ralph Nader even said that General Motors commits “willful manslaughter” by manufacturing cars without modern safety gear beside vehicles that feature these systems, all in the name of more profit on the South American market.

Meanwhile, Latin NCAP representatives criticized GM for “actively choosing to sell models of its vehicles without essential safety equipment” on their markets, Autocar notes.

The issue reappeared into the discussion after the results of the latest crash test session organized by Latin NCAP. They tested the Chevrolet Sail, and it received zero stars because of its “unstable structure.” The representatives of the safety organization stated that GM has the worst average crash test rating of all the major global manufacturers that are active in Latin America.

Global NCAP, a partner of EuroNCAP and Latin NCAP, among others, chose to write a letter to General Motors CEO Mary Barra. The letter was signed by David Ward, Global NCAP’s Secretary General, who urged GM’s CEO to take a stand and address the safety issues presented by the vehicles they sell in Latin America.

GM promised to invest $5 billion in developing an all-new vehicle architecture for the Latin American market. The corporation wants to use that platform for all global growth markets (they are referring to emerging markets here), and these cars will feature dual frontal airbags and three-point safety belts for all occupants.
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About the author: Sebastian Toma
Sebastian Toma profile photo

Sebastian's love for cars began at a young age. Little did he know that a career would emerge from this passion (and that it would not, sadly, involve being a professional racecar driver). In over fourteen years, he got behind the wheel of several hundred vehicles and in the offices of the most important car publications in his homeland.
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