Publications
Partners
Earlier this week Wheels24 reported that the locally built Nissan NP300 had failed in a Global-NCAP crash test against a second-hand 2015 Euro-spec Nissan Navara NP300.
In 2019, news broke on a 2018 Hardbody’s inability to fully protect its occupants in the event of an accident. Despite the harrowing results of that test, it did little to deter the bakkie’s sales success both in South Africa and across the greater African continent.
The NP300 remains a top-seller in our local market, and while some Wheels24 readers have written in and said these results will make them think twice about purchasing the vehicle, several others say it makes no difference.
Two of our readers say the results would not affect their opinion of the NP300. They share their thoughts below:
Robin Harrison says: "I would still buy the Nissan NP300. I was going through news on my phone after driving for five hours. Returning from Dundee. I have found motoring stories in articles most interesting as they are written as to how a vehicle feels at that instant when testing a car.
"The general public buy cars which they can afford, and try and keep costs low. I was brought up in cars with no seatbelts, drum brakes all around, switches sticking out the dashboard, and hand signals were important then. Side windows were open etc.
"A new 2020 driver would not be able to drive a 50-year-old car. A modern computer-controlled car is very easy to drive, which makes all the engine and safety decisions for the driver these days.
"I drive a 2010 Renault Sandero 1600. It has done 280 000km and it's still going. On long trips it is very comfortable. It has been on roads which are classified as 4x4, with no problem. I do not drive through water or extreme road conditions, and route planning is essential."
Image: Motorpress
Kenneth Duggard says: "I would buy the NP300, it’s all about affordability, plus the fact that it’s been built here since time began and most of the niggles have been ironed out. That is why the little Renault Kwid has been selling up a storm; cheap and cheerful, and it is all about getting people mobile at affordable prices.
"Have you seen the prices of new bakkies? It's simply not worth the money. Don’t believe me? Have a look at any Toyota Double Cab, one to three years old, with 250 to over 300 000km’s on the clock, it's crazy.
"There is a storm on the horizon. A time of hardship and pain. The battle against the machines rages on. Skynet’s, global network remains strong, but we will not quit until all of it’s destroyed. This is John Conner."
"There is no fate but what we make. (I’m a sci-fi nut ,so sue me)."
Watch the Global NCAP crash test below:
Nissan South Africa says: "Nissan’s number one priority is the safety of its customers. We are committed to the highest safety standards in every single market where we operate, without exception. The locally produced NP300 Hardbody meets all safety regulations within Africa, where it has built a strong reputation over many years for reliability and customer satisfaction.
"Nissan continues to introduce advanced safety technologies and features into our global product range, including Africa, and we actively encourage and support advancements in safety regulations and requirements for the benefit of our customers."Fatal injuries
Global NCAP noted: "The Nissan NP300 was previously tested by Global NCAP in 2018 as part of the #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign and received a zero star safety rating. The vehicle structure collapsed and was found to be unstable during the test. The high forces placed on the crash test driver dummy pose a significant risk of fatal injury. The NP300’s bodyshell was so unstable that the airbags were ineffective.
"The (Euro-spec) Nissan Navara NP300 was previously tested by Euro NCAP in 2015 and achieved a four star adult occupant rating."
In 2019, news broke on a 2018 Hardbody’s inability to fully protect its occupants in the event of an accident. Despite the harrowing results of that test, it did little to deter the bakkie’s sales success both in South Africa and across the greater African continent.
The NP300 remains a top-seller in our local market, and while some Wheels24 readers have written in and said these results will make them think twice about purchasing the vehicle, several others say it makes no difference.
Two of our readers say the results would not affect their opinion of the NP300. They share their thoughts below:
Robin Harrison says: "I would still buy the Nissan NP300. I was going through news on my phone after driving for five hours. Returning from Dundee. I have found motoring stories in articles most interesting as they are written as to how a vehicle feels at that instant when testing a car.
"The general public buy cars which they can afford, and try and keep costs low. I was brought up in cars with no seatbelts, drum brakes all around, switches sticking out the dashboard, and hand signals were important then. Side windows were open etc.
"A new 2020 driver would not be able to drive a 50-year-old car. A modern computer-controlled car is very easy to drive, which makes all the engine and safety decisions for the driver these days.
"I drive a 2010 Renault Sandero 1600. It has done 280 000km and it's still going. On long trips it is very comfortable. It has been on roads which are classified as 4x4, with no problem. I do not drive through water or extreme road conditions, and route planning is essential."
Kenneth Duggard says: "I would buy the NP300, it’s all about affordability, plus the fact that it’s been built here since time began and most of the niggles have been ironed out. That is why the little Renault Kwid has been selling up a storm; cheap and cheerful, and it is all about getting people mobile at affordable prices.
"Have you seen the prices of new bakkies? It's simply not worth the money. Don’t believe me? Have a look at any Toyota Double Cab, one to three years old, with 250 to over 300 000km’s on the clock, it's crazy.
"There is a storm on the horizon. A time of hardship and pain. The battle against the machines rages on. Skynet’s, global network remains strong, but we will not quit until all of it’s destroyed. This is John Conner."
"There is no fate but what we make. (I’m a sci-fi nut ,so sue me)."
Watch the Global NCAP crash test below:
Nissan South Africa says: "Nissan’s number one priority is the safety of its customers. We are committed to the highest safety standards in every single market where we operate, without exception. The locally produced NP300 Hardbody meets all safety regulations within Africa, where it has built a strong reputation over many years for reliability and customer satisfaction.
"Nissan continues to introduce advanced safety technologies and features into our global product range, including Africa, and we actively encourage and support advancements in safety regulations and requirements for the benefit of our customers."Fatal injuries
Global NCAP noted: "The Nissan NP300 was previously tested by Global NCAP in 2018 as part of the #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign and received a zero star safety rating. The vehicle structure collapsed and was found to be unstable during the test. The high forces placed on the crash test driver dummy pose a significant risk of fatal injury. The NP300’s bodyshell was so unstable that the airbags were ineffective.
"The (Euro-spec) Nissan Navara NP300 was previously tested by Euro NCAP in 2015 and achieved a four star adult occupant rating."