PROTON ARENA NOT ROADWORTHY IN NZ

The New Zealand Herald said that Arena aka jumpbuck, the utility vehicle was given the lowest possible one-star rating in tests conducted by the independent body Ancap (Australasian New Car Assessment Programme).

In comparison, the China-made Great Wall Motors SA220 utility vehicle fared slightly better, with a two-star rating.

Jumbuck aka Proton Arena thrashed

Saturday, 17 October 2009 17:05

PETALING JAYA - Local perception of Proton quality is improving but it has taken a beating abroad.

The latest report out of New Zealand indicated that the Proton Jumbuck has produced the worst crash test results of vehicles sold in the country. A consumer group there said it was so unsafe it should be taken off the road.

The Jumbuck, introduced in 2003, is known as the Arena in Malaysia.

The New Zealand Herald said the utility vehicle was given the lowest possible one-star rating in tests conducted by the independent body Ancap (Australasian New Car Assessment Programme).

In comparison, the China-made Great Wall Motors SA220 utility vehicle fared slightly better, with a two-star rating.

Ancap rates vehicles from zero to five stars, with the top ranking reserved for cars with the best safety features and protection of the driver and passengers.

The newspaper said the Jumbuck cabin was severely deformed in a 64kph offset crash test and that it “offered poor head protection for the driver and passenger, and poor leg protection for the driver.”

Consumer NZ, a New Zealand consumer group, said cars should be ranked at least four stars to be considered roadworthy. Pick-up trucks such as the Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi Triton qualify for four stars.

The current model uses outdated Mitsubishi design and technology.

A new and likely safer Jumbuck is expected to be launched in the first half of next year.

Proton Cars Australia, in a response ahead of the crash test results, had said in August that it was unfair to judge the Jumbuck in its current form when the new generation was months away from being introduced.

It called for the new Jumbuck to be tested upon availability in the interest of a balanced assessment.

Malaysianmirror