Brussels 2nd June 2010

Today, Euro NCAP is reaching out to a wider range of consumers by launching its website www.euroncap.com  for the first time in two new languages: Dutch and French. Euro NCAP intends to release further languages Catalan, German, Italian, Polish, Spanish and the Swedish in the following months. Today, Euro NCAP also releases the results for three new cars: the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, BMW 5-series and the Mazda CX-7.

According to a recent Eurobarometer poll carried out in  29 countries, only 51% of Europeans speak English either as their mother tongue or as a foreign language and a further 44% of Europeans admit not knowing any other language than their own. In conclusion, there is a large part of the European population that has had no access to Euro NCAP’s safety information, given that up to now the web site has been entirely in English.

Over the next couple of months, this is all set to change. Today, Euro NCAP releases information for the first time on its website in Dutch and French, languages that will make access easier for some 90 million people in Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland. These two new languages will be closely followed by Catalan, German, Italian, Polish, Spanish and Swedish.  This first round of languages has been chosen due to the large car markets and significant car buying public in these countries. Moreover Euro NCAP members have also supported the launch of languages directed at their own consumers.

Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP says "This is one more step in Euro NCAP’s long-term objective to provide information on the safety performance of today’s cars to every consumer in Europe. Information is power and this power will ensure consumers can protect themselves when they drive."

Today, Euro NCAP also issued the results for the safety performance of three cars. Of these three cars, the BMW 5 series achieved the highest result in pedestrian protection with a respectable 78%. The car has an active bonnet, so that when a pedestrian is struck, the bonnet is lifted from its position as a result, creating more space to absorb the energy that usually results in injury. The BMW 5 series also scored 100% in Safety Assist as the car has electronic stability control fitted as standard, seatbelt reminders in the front and rear, as well as a driver set speed limitation device.

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta is equipped with a reactive seat and head restraint offering good protection. The BMW seat and head restraint also provides good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear impact. The Mazda CX -7 offered poor protection against whiplash.

Make and model                      Class                  Year of test      Overall safety score

ALFA ROMEO  Giulietta 

(1.6 LT JTD ‘Distinctive’ LHD) Small family   2010              5 stars

BMW  5 series (530 d LHD)     Executive          2010              5 stars

MAZDA CX-7  (2.2 diesel RHD) Small Off-Roader 2010      4 stars

Editors’ notes

1.   For further information please contact Sinziana Radu Gille, Communication Manager, at +32 2 2820816 or e-mail us on s.gille (at) fiabrussels.com

2.   Euro NCAP’s test results are released on a quarterly basis.

3. ESC performance data on all cars tested in 2009 is now available on www.euroncap.com.

4.   Consumers should be aware that not all cars are comparable due to their varying size and weight. For comparable cars please consult the website

5.    Euro NCAP’s overall rating includes Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Pedestrian Protection and Safety Assist. Vehicles are awarded a single overall score from one to five stars. The assessment incorporates Rear Impact (Whiplash) testing, the availability of ESC and the presence of speed limitation devices. The overall rating is based on the car’s performance in each of the four main areas and the scores are weighted with respect to each other. Over the next three years, stricter requirements will be introduced increasing the emphasis on all-round safety performance and demanding higher levels of achievement in each area.

6.    Consumers should be aware that results are time dependent, the more recently a car has been tested, the more accurate and up-to-date the results of its safety performance. Only ratings for the year the car was tested apply for older or second-hand cars. These ratings can be considered compromised if the car has been involved in an accident.

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