Thatcham Research and Euro NCAP have announced the results of the world’s only Commercial Van Safety Rating programme, which was introduced last year due to concerns that safety-critical equipment on new cars was not being made available on vans.
The results found that FIAT is the manufacturer that has raised its game the most since the first batch of test results were released, with its Ducato improving from a safety score of 28% to 88%, which makes it the first van ever to receive a Platinum rating.
Its 60% score increase was attributed to the all-round strong performance of its AEB and speed assistance systems, as well as its improved lane support capability, with the addition of Lane Keep Assist (LKA) which helps steer the van back into its lane.
Matthew Avery, Thatcham Research’s Chief Research Strategy Officer, said: “FIAT have completely raised the bar this year and we welcome the brand’s response to our calls for improved safety on vans. To jump 60% from one assessment to the next is very impressive and we congratulate the brand for achieving the world’s first Platinum rating. It is also good news that this Platinum rating has been achieved by a shared van platform within the Stellantis Group. The Ducato’s performance has the potential to benefit a huge chunk of the market because the Vauxhall Movano, Peugeot Boxer and Citroën Relay share the same production platform. We hope the Ducato’s features will be made available on these vans too.”
Meanwhile, eight other vans increased their score in 2022, with five achieving a higher rating. Ford’s Transit Custom moved from the Silver rating band into Gold, the Renault Trafic improved from being Not Recommended to a Silver rating, and the Vauxhall Movano went from being Not Recommended to achieving a Bronze rating.
However, the worst Commercial Vans Safety Rating performer in 2022 was the Nissan Interstar, which was the only van among the 19 tested to be handed a Not Recommended rating.
Avery said, “This is a great example where a manufacturer, in this case Nissan, has decided to dismiss the value of a critical safety feature and put marketing before engineering. That’s disappointing and doesn’t reflect the good safety performance of the brand’s passenger cars.”
