ANCAP gets $2.2 million from the federal government

UPDATED 1600 AESTTHE Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has received a $2.2 million funding boost from the federal government that will help cover its costs through to the end of 2016, around the time the big three Australian car-makers begin to shut down their factories.

Today’s announcement in Melbourne reaffirms the federal government’s commitment to the safety testing body – at least in the short-term. ANCAP says the funding will help it enter its “next phase”, where it begins to place more emphasis on active and preventative safety technologies in its tests.

The cash injection was announced by assistant infrastructure and regional development minister Jamie Briggs.

“With Australian government support and funding, ANCAP has increased its ratings coverage to 95 per cent of new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles sold in Australia,” said Mr Briggs.

“The Australian government is committed to working with organisations like ANCAP to raise awareness of road safety and to reduce death and injury on our roads through safer vehicles, safer roads and safer drivers.”

Responding to the funding boost, ANCAP chairman Lauchlan McIntosh said the “continuation of federal funding underscores the important role vehicle safety plays in reducing road trauma”.

“ANCAP is the foundation stone for the Safer Vehicles pillar in the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety and in Australia's National Road Safety Strategy.

“This is of particular relevance during this Decade of Action as we strive to meet a 30 per cent, or greater, reduction in deaths and serious injuries by 2020.

“This funding will see ANCAP enter the next phase of vehicle safety assessment as we recognise the rapid growth of active safety technologies and begin to assess their effectiveness.

“Manufacturers recognise and accept the value of the ANCAP process in encouraging new car buyers including fleet managers, to look for and buy the safest cars available.

“As we see more and more imported cars entering our market, the continued role of ANCAP as the only independent organisation providing detailed safety comparisons is essential.”

While the federal government is ANCAP’s biggest backer, it receives funds from 23 member organisations in total, also including the Australian and New Zealand motoring clubs, the New Zealand government, Australian state and territory governments, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.

ANCAP received a $5 million funding boost from the previous ALP government in June 2010.

ANCAP shares much of its data with its European sister organisation NCAP, though the rating systems of each have slightly different frameworks. In April, a UN General Assembly resolution adopted the stance that there should be an NCAP in all world regions.