NCAP

NCAP stands for New Car Assessment Program (or Programme) and refers to a family of independent or government-run programs that evaluate the safety performance of new passenger vehicles. The aim is to provide consumers with reliable information about a vehicle’s crash protection and safety features, and to encourage manufacturers to improve safety in design and technology.

The concept originated in the United States with the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program, launched in 1978. Since then, regional programs have grown globally, including Euro NCAP in Europe (established 1997), ANCAP in Australia and New Zealand, JNCAP in Japan, C-NCAP in China, LATIN NCAP in Latin America, and ASEAN NCAP in Southeast Asia. Although each program operates independently, they share the goal of offering standardized safety ratings to help consumers compare vehicles.

Methodology typically involves crash testing and safety assessments. Programs conduct frontal and side impact tests, and may include pole or rollover tests, depending on the region. They evaluate structural integrity, restraint systems, and the effectiveness of active safety technologies such as automatic emergency braking and electronic stability control. Ratings are usually presented as stars (or similar scales) and may be broken down into categories such as adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, pedestrian protection, and safety assist.

Impact and limitations: NCAP ratings have influenced vehicle design and consumer choice, prompting manufacturers to add more airbags, stronger structures, and advanced driver-assistance systems. However, comparisons across regions can be challenging due to differing test protocols, weighting, and optional features treated differently in ratings. Overall, NCAPs aim to drive improvements in vehicle safety and transparency for buyers.