ANCAP praises commercial vans rocking five-star ratings
The Mercedes-Benz V-Class and Valante, and Ford Transit and Tourneo vans has scored five-star ANCAP safety ratings.
“These ratings provide both commercial and private buyers with greater choice in the van and people mover categories,” said ANCAP CEO James Goodwin. “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.”
“Mercedes-Benz has taken the responsible action to work with ANCAP to improve safety and address the 4-star result. This is an encouraging outcome for safety and should be commended for working quickly to implement these important safety improvements,” he said.
“Consumers should therefore be mindful that Vito variants without head-protecting side airbags are 4-star rated,” Mr Goodwin said.
Ford now joins Mercedes-Benz with its first five-star van rankings.
“The Transit is a popular choice for large and small commercial operators such as tradespeople and couriers. Transit drivers will now have the knowledge their van offers the highest level of safety,” said Mr Goodwin. Ford’s Tourneo Customer is a people-mover version of the Transit Custom sold in New Zealand.
Each of the Mercedes models scored an ‘Acceptable’ rating for pedestrian protection, while Transit and Tourneo rated ‘Marginal’.
