Ask an expert

I've heard that the Japanese improved their vehicle safety standards in 1998, true or false?
If true, does it mean that a vehicle built in 1998 will be safer than the same model built earlier?

Colin

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 14 December 2009

In 1996 the Japanese Authorities required all cars and station wagons manufactured for the Japanese domestic market (the cars that end up in NZ) to meet new stringent frontal impact standards.

This applied to any new models introduced to the market from a specific date. If for example, a vehicle was in current production at the time the rule was introduced, which did not meet the new standard, then that model was allowed to continue in production until a new model was launched.

Most manufacturers in Japan have a four year life cycle so the change to the new standards did not happen overnight and was phased in over a period of time.

This did not stop manufacturers enhancing their existing models during their life cycle however by introducing new safety features as they became available.

In summary you could have the same model which was built on an identical platform (met the same frontal impact standard) but had more safety features such as ABS brakes or dual airbags etc.