Chery is the latest automaker to come under fire from the Automobile Association in its #SaferCarsForAfrica crash test programme with the Tiggo 7 Pro gaining only two stars and being castigated for not having side impact crash bags in all derivatives across the range.
According to the assessment conducted by the Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP), the vehicle received a three-star rating for child occupant protection, but the evaluation noted the Child Restraint System (CRS) failed installation in all forward-facing rear positions. Furthermore, the vehicle does not offer the option to deactivate the passenger crash bag when a rearward-facing child seat is fitted in the front.
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The tests were conducted on the previous-generation Tiggo 7 Pro Distinction, which remains on sale in South Africa. It was also noted that the current-generation Tiggo 7 Prime—the entry-level model in the updated range—does not include the same safety features that were found lacking in the older model.
Global NCAP’s assessment identified several structural concerns. The footwell area and bodyshell were found to be unstable and unable to withstand higher crash loadings. A side pole impact test was not performed due to the absence of standard side head protection, which increases the risk of serious head injury in certain collision types. Although Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and seatbelt reminders were fitted as standard, the latter did not meet Global NCAP’s performance requirements.
The Association also commented on a recent demonstration staged by Chery South Africa, in which two Tiggo 9 SUVs were collided head-on at 50 km/h. The AA says such tests are not conducted according to NCAP protocols and should not be viewed as equivalent to independent safety assessments. The organisation urged consumers to rely on verified NCAP results when evaluating vehicle safety.
Commenting on the findings, Global NCAP chief executive Richard Woods described the two-star outcome as disappointing. He added that the situation is made worse by what he termed the circulation of misleading crash test information from other markets. He said South African consumers deserve access to independent and accurate data to guide their purchasing decisions.
AA chief executive Bobby Ramagwede noted the organisation has received repeated calls from the public to test Chinese brands under the #SaferCarsForAfrica programme. He said the latest results point to a concerning pattern in which vehicles sold in Africa do not always offer the same level of safety as those in other regions.
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Ramagwede added while recent marketing material has highlighted a five-star Euro NCAP rating for the Tiggo 7 CSH, such claims do not reflect the safety shortcomings found in the entry-level models of the same range.
“Euro NCAP ratings,” he explained, “are specific to vehicles sold in Europe and do not automatically apply to models sold locally.”
The AA reiterated its position no vehicle should be sold in South Africa without standard side head protection for all occupants. It called on manufacturers to address the findings of the Global NCAP tests, either through production line improvements or by initiating safety recalls.
The organisation maintained consumers in Africa are entitled to the same level of safety as those in other parts of the world, without paying a premium. It renewed its call for the establishment of a dedicated Africa NCAP programme to ensure greater transparency and testing consistency across the continent.
We reached out to Chery for comment but as yet have had not had a response. We will update this story when we receive input from them.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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