Proton oh Proton........

Proton-ute-slammed-by-ConsumerING: The Proton Jumbuck performed badly in ANCAP crash testing.

SMASH

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/motoring/2967202
A Malaysian-manufactured ute has turned in the worst crash test performance of any vehicle being sold here, Consumer New Zealand warns.
The Proton Jumbuck ($24,000) joined two other utes available in New Zealand in being given dismal safety ratings by independent crash test organisation Ancap (Australasian New Car Assessment Program).
The two-door Jumbuck was awarded the lowest possible one-star rating after its performance in frontal offset and side impact crash tests.
Ancap scores vehicles from zero to five stars, depending on the safety features and protection of the driver and passengers.
The ute's cabin was severely deformed in the 64kmh offset crash test.
It showed the Jumbuck offered poor head protection for the driver and passenger, and poor leg protection for the driver.
It also lacked airbags, ABS, and electronic stability control (a feature that senses skidding and individually brakes the wheels, helping the driver to regain control).
The two-door Chinese-manufactured Great Wall Motors SA220 ($22,000) was given a lowly two-star rating, with findings that its protection for the driver was poor and its passenger compartment buckled in a frontal offset crash test.
The results showed the SA220 offered minimal protection for the driver's head, chest, and legs, and had ''minimal safety features'' overall; no front or side-mounted airbags, no ABS, and no electronic stability control.
While Great Wall Motors' larger four-door V240 ($27,000) model has dual front airbags and ABS brakes, it was also only awarded a two-star rating.
Both airbags deployed in the frontal offset crash test but did not prevent head damage to the driver and passenger. The passenger's seat belt failed on one occasion and protection for the driver's head and legs was rated as poor.
Consumer NZ testing manager Hamish Wilson said potential buyers should steer clear of these utes.
''With advances in vehicle design and safety features, we think it's unacceptable for a manufacturer to make vehicles that crash test so badly, let alone sell them in New Zealand.
''We don't believe these vehicles should be allowed on the road.''
Mr Wilson said the minimum standard for a new ute should be four stars. The Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton, and several Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore utes achieved this standard.
The difference in safety between a two-star and a four-star ute was significant, he said.
''It can mean the difference between walking away from a crash and being taken away in an ambulance.''