Speaking specifically, EuroNCAP experts conducted crash tests of two Chinese SUVs — Lynk&Co 01 and NIO ES8. Both models are preparing to enter the European market, so experts decided to assess how safe they are. Unexpectedly, both cars managed to get the highest rating of five stars, and under the new, stricter EuroNCAP requirements. Thus, at the moment these are the safest cars from China.
The hybrid crossover Lynk&Co 01, produced by Geely, was developed with the participation of Volvo engineers and is built on the same platform as the Volvo XC40. The Swedish brand has always been famous for its special approach to safety issues, which explains such high results in the tests.
Namely: for the protection of adult passengers, the Lynk&Co 01 received 96%, and for child safety — 87%. In a collision with a pedestrian, the car earned 71%, and the operation of electronic systems was rated at 81% (even in the base version, automatic braking, lane control, driver fatigue recognition and road sign recognition systems are available).
The electric NIO ES8 showed slightly more modest but still worthy results: 82% for adult protection, 84% for children, 72% for pedestrian safety, and 92% for electronic assistants, which function even better than those of the Lynk&Co 01.
EuroNCAP Secretary General Michel van Ratingen noted that the Lynk&Co 01 and NIO ES8 proved that the Made in China label does not necessarily mean a low level of safety. Unlike some other Chinese models, these two crossovers fully meet European standards.
