Crash Test: When Chinese Cars Surprise!

The Funky Cat Ora and the Wey Coffee 01 have just achieved 5 stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests. These results confirm that Chinese cars no longer have anything to envy their competitors in terms of safety.

2005: the Jiangling Landwind was flagged for its safety performance well below European standards. The ADAC, which conducted the crash tests, estimates that the Chinese 4×4 was 30 years behind and does not meet current regulations on the Old Continent.

Five years later, the Landwind CV9 scored 2 stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests, whereas most new models tested that year received 4 or 5 stars. Once again, the Chinese manufacturer demonstrates that it is not on equal footing with its competitors. And through these poor results, the entire Chinese automotive industry is discredited.

Rapid and Significant Progress

The situation has now significantly evolved. In just a few years, Chinese automakers have made remarkable progress across all fields. When it comes to passive safety, they no longer have anything to envy their rivals.

The latest Euro NCAP results clearly illustrate this trend, with two new Chinese cars awarded the maximum score of 5 stars. The models in question are the Ora Funky Cat and the Wey Coffee 01. They were tested alongside the Tesla Model Y, which also achieved 5 stars.

Before the Ora Funky Cat and the Wey Coffee 01, other Chinese models had already scored five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests. Lynk & Co 01, Nio ES8, MG HS, and ZS EV (with the old scoring system): examples are increasingly numerous.

Certainly, the recent MG Marvel R scored only 4 stars, but this result is by no means disgraceful. In fact, many models from Stellantis also settle for 4 stars.

Also read: Test Drive Seres 3: Driving the Chinese Electric SUV