THE motor industry is bracing itself for further fall-out from the next round of European New Car Assessment Programme crash tests after the first tests on superminis earlier this year. Similar tests are being carried out on upper medium cars, with the results due to be announced in July; followed by tests of lower medium cars, with results expected next February.

The Transport Research Laboratory, which carries out the tests, said the programme was designed to give buyers information about the safety of vehicles and push manufacturers to make improvements. It forecast fleet managers would be instrumental in pushing for safety developments, due to the health and safety implications of company car choice.

The results of the first tests prompted an outcry from the vehicle manufacturers, who labelled them unscientific and irrelevant. The Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo came out on top of the first tests, followed by the Fiat Punto, Nissan Micra, Renault Clio and Vauxhall Corsa with the Rover 100 receiving the lowest mark.