In a bid to get car buyers thinking about car safety, wrecked cars are joining new ones in showrooms around the country.
The wrecks are the remains of cars that have been crash tested by the ANCAP organisation awards the stars for rating the safety of new cars.
“Dealers are crucial advocates for ANCAP and the safer vehicles message,” ANCAP chief executive, James Goodwin, said.
“Having consumers able to see, touch and even sit in a vehicle that’s been crash-tested – complete with deployed airbags and visible dummy contact points – is a unique experience.”
ANCAP’s polling shows, of those who receive safety information prior to purchase, 88 per cent say the info plays a direct role in their purchasing decision.
“We are stepping up our engagement with dealers, working with a range of vehicle brands, dealer groups and the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) to provide consumers with a tangible example of vehicle safety,” Goodwin said.
“It is important we engage with dealers and consumers at the point-of-sale, and in particular, it is important we bring our display vehicles to regional dealerships as two thirds of all road deaths occur in regional and remote areas,” Mr Goodwin added.
“With the introduction of automated vehicle technologies, the car buying experience must also change, to educate consumers on the benefits and function of safety assist features.”
The Kia Stinger is the first crash-tested vehicle to take up residence in a regional dealership, alongside its pristine equivalent on the showroom floor of Bathurst Kia.
Its journey will continue over coming months with displays scheduled for dealerships in Dubbo, Orange and Lithgow.
A Mazda CX-5, Suzuki Swift, Hyundai Kona, LDV D90 and Toyota Corolla also form part of the national roadshow.
Images and crash test footage of the Kia and other vehicles can be found here.
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