Tuesday, 18 September 2007
Chinese automaker Brilliance reacts quickly to poor crash test performance
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A video on YouTube began circulating back in June after a German crash test of the Chinese car Billiance BS6 earned the vehicle a “one-star” rating, according to Germany’s ADAC regulatory group. The 40-mph offset frontal collision (standard European New Car Assessment Program requirement) caused horrendous damage; both the roof and floor buckled severely, the driver’s door bowed outward and the steering wheel deflected inward, destroying the airbag’s potential to absorb some of the collision. The side impact test was nearly as painful to view, and envisioning actual occupants inside is scary to say the least.
Brilliance was mocked on automotive forums and scolded by the media. After viewing the video, it was hard to envision ANYONE feeling comfortable driving the BS6. It seemed that Brillance’s vision of penetrating the European (and eventually American) marketplaces was doomed.
But early in September the BS6 was back in the lab, and this time the automaker claimed a three-star crash rating using the Euro NCAP standard. Reinforced A-pillars, door sills, floor plates, roof pillars and door linings were among the 65 parts that were updated. Footage of the new test is certainly less disturbing than the first round. It would seem that Brilliance shaped up and decided to actually build a car this time around.
This rebound seems remarkable, given how poorly the first model performed. One wonders if Brilliance put any effort into safety initially, or if the infusion of safety technology was a result of such intense criticism. As BusinessWeek points out, however, Brilliance is not without outside aid. BMW has partnered with Brilliance to produce sedans in China for the Chinese market. As such, the BS6’s production line was designed by BMW technicians. Styling was done by the Italian firm Giugiaro, and Mitsubishi has collaborated in a joint engine production venture. So long established expertise is there.
What does Brilliance’s speed in development mean for the automotive industry? It’s hard to say, since the largest marketplaces have yet to see BS6s (and other models) in showrooms. But given the rapid improvement, that time could come soon; Brilliance is hoping to establish 700 dealers in Europe by the end of next year. Stay tuned.
Sources: BusinessWeek and YouTube
Image: YouTube
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