Suzuki Australia's manager criticizes ANCAP for frequent changes in criteria

At the unveiling of the new Suzuki Fronx, the brand's Australian Managing Director for automotive, Michael Pachota, was questioned about Suzuki's relationship with the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) and its potential impact on sales.

The conversation came at a time when ANCAP's testing methods have become more stringent, requiring cars to have more features and perform in more specific scenarios. This shift has led to a focus on safety features like airbags, better structures, design rules for pedestrian protection, and technology to prevent crashes.

Pachota highlighted the average age of cars on local roads as a factor to consider when evaluating safety ratings, as many older cars would not meet current ANCAP standards. This was exemplified by the most recent Suzuki model tested by ANCAP in Australia, the Suzuki Swift, which received a one-star safety rating in 2024.

The Swift ranked poorly in Adult and Child Occupant Protection (47% and 59%, respectively), Safety Assist (54%), and Vulnerable Road User Protection was assessed at 76%. In contrast, the last generation Swift scored a maximum five stars in 2017, aside from the base model's four stars due to missing features.

Pachota questioned whether everyone should be scared due to the majority of the local car park being nowhere near ANCAP's ratings. He also mentioned that certain cars have become ineligible for sale in Australia due to changes to Australian Design Rules (ADRs).

However, Pachota emphasised that safety is a high priority for Suzuki, but also respects customers' ability to make their own safety evaluations. He posited that the Fronx is safe due to a healthy list of standard features and its ADR-compliance.

Interestingly, the Suzuki Jimny and Vitara are technically unrated because they haven't been tested recently, but the Jimny received three stars in 2018 and the Vitara five stars in 2015.

At the moment, Suzuki only has one model with a current ANCAP rating: the Swift hatch, which received one star in 2024. The new Fronx hasn't been tested by ANCAP in Australia, but it received a four-star rating under JNCAP testing in Japan.

Pachota suggested that the focus should not be on whether safety is important to Suzuki, but rather whether it is important to the customer and if they can understand the safety features in the vehicles. He posed the question, "Is it important to the customer that the car they buy is safe?"

This discussion underscores the need for consumers to be informed about safety ratings when making their car-buying decisions. While Suzuki continues to prioritise safety, it is essential for customers to understand the safety features in the vehicles they are considering.