This Chinese Electric Vehicle Collapsed During European Crash Testing | Carscoops

      Dongfeng's Box EV received a disappointing three-star rating in the latest Euro NCAP crash tests, while its competitors achieved four or five stars.

      Recently, Dongfeng’s Box EV demonstrated poor performance in the Euro NCAP crash assessments.

      Failures in spot-welding during the overlap test contributed to its low three-star rating.

      Concerns about post-crash safety arose due to inadequate airbag pressure and doors that failed to open properly after a collision.

      If the appealing technology features have led you to believe that Chinese vehicles are on par with Western competitors, the recent Euro NCAP results might challenge that perception. While some Chinese models genuinely compete well, one newly released small Asian EV has just failed an essential European crash test, unlike its rivals that passed with flying colors.

      The vehicle in question is the Dongfeng Nammi Box, a compact hatchback comparable to the Renault 5 or BYD Dolphin. However, while those models received four and five-star ratings, respectively, the Box was rated just three stars.

      Safety Concerns

      Multiple spot-weld failures in the offset front impact test heightened the risk of deformation in the cabin and diminished occupant protection, according to the safety organization.

      This test occurs at a speed of 31 mph (50 km/h) with a 50 percent overlap against a deformable barrier on a sled weighing 3,090 lbs (1,400 kg), also traveling at 31 mph, and is designed to mimic collisions that lead to the most fatalities and severe injuries on roads.

      The Box’s compromised structure was not its only shortcoming. The steering wheel airbag lacked sufficient pressure, which allowed the driver's head to strike the wheel.

      Design Issues Under Scrutiny

      Even more concerning, the doors did not unlock automatically, potentially hindering first responders from assisting injured occupants.

      Euro NCAP also criticized Dongfeng for failing to include safety measures to prevent front seat passengers from colliding with each other in a side impact.

      Ultimately, testers rated the Box with just 69 percent for adult occupant protection and 67 percent for vulnerable road user protection, placing it significantly below most modern small EVs available in Europe.

      "The Dongfeng BOX does not meet the safety performance standards of other small EVs evaluated by Euro NCAP," the organization stated. "The compromised spot welds during our tests raised concerns that they could fail further in higher-speed collisions. This issue must be addressed to compete effectively in the rapidly growing EV market," they added.

      In Dongfeng's defense, it wasn’t the only small hatchback to receive a low three-star rating; VW’s older T-Cross crossover received the same score, although it is seen as an exception. Other VW Group models, such as the Audi Q3, Skoda Octavia, and VW Golf, all scored a maximum of five stars.

      Meanwhile, China's Chery Tiggo 7 and 8 had previously been marked down due to rear curtain airbag issues but were redesigned. After re-testing, they achieved five stars, illustrating the significant safety gap between the top and bottom performers among Chinese vehicles.