Chery's Groundbreaking Collision Study to Transforms Automotive Testing in South Africa

This August marks a pivotal moment in automotive safety as Chery embarks on a revolutionary real-world collision analysis that will reshape vehicle testing standardsacross the African continent.

In an industry-first approach, two meticulously engineered Tiggo 9 SUVs—each representing the pinnacle of global safety innovation—will participate in a controlled 50% offset collision scenario at precisely 50 kilometres per hour.

This groundbreaking initiative transcends conventional testing methodologies. Rather than simply validating existing safety protocols, Chery's ambitious project embodies a transformative vision where automotive advancement emerges through bold experimentation and unwavering commitment to passenger protection.

Addressing South Africa's Critical Safety Landscape

Statistical analysis reveals a sobering reality: head-on vehicular impacts in South Africa occur with alarming frequency while maintaining significantly higher mortality rates compared to international benchmarks. Recent comprehensive research by Kantar demonstrates that South African consumers have elevated safety considerations from mere preferences to absolute purchasing prerequisites—a shiftthat reflects the urgent need for enhanced protective technologies.

Responding to this critical demand, Chery's testing protocol will unfold on an extensive, perfectly maintained roadway surface, meticulously recreating one of the nation's most perilous traffic scenarios: a right-side offset collision between approaching vehicles traveling at highway speeds.

Comprehensive Performance Evaluation Framework

The moment these two Tiggo 9 vehicles make contact, a sophisticated assessment protocol will activate, examining crucial safety parameters including:

This comprehensive evaluation framework ensures that every aspect of real-world collision dynamics receives thorough scrutiny, delivering authentic insights into the Tiggo 9's protective capabilities.

Engineering Excellence Through Advanced Materials

The Tiggo 9 represents a masterpiece of protective engineering, designed to achieve prestigious five-star safety ratings across global markets. Its revolutionary construction integrates 85% high-tensile steel components with 21% hot-formed steel elements, creating an uncompromising protective foundation.

The vehicle's passive safety architecture features cutting-edge innovations including a sophisticated dual-impact-beam configuration, an exclusive far-side airbag system—unprecedented in this vehicle segment—and an industry-defining 2,060-millimeter side curtain airbag network. Together, these elements form an integrated protective ecosystem designed to shield occupants during critical moments.

Next-Generation Active Safety Technology

Beyond its structural innovations, the Tiggo 9 incorporates an impressive suite of 19 sophisticated driver-assistance technologies, each engineered to prevent accidents before they occur. These intelligent systems work continuously to enhance driver awareness, improve reaction times, and mitigate potential collision scenarios.

The vehicle's safety credentials have been rigorously validated through Chery's internal testing protocols, including demanding assessments such as complete frontal barrier impacts and challenging 32-kilometer-per-hour side pole collision tests. From occupant space preservation and airbag timing precision to electrical system safety cutoffs and post-incident preparedness, the Tiggo 9 has consistently demonstrated exceptional protective performance.

Global Safety Innovation Initiative

This South African collision study represents a cornerstone element within Chery's ambitious 2025 Global Safety Innovation Program. This comprehensive initiative subjects vehicles to extreme environmental and operational conditions, including temperature extremes, moisture variations, high-velocity scenarios, and challenging terrain conditions.

Through an innovative combination of worldwide real environment testing and collaborative user verification across strategically selected international markets, Chery maintains its commitment to evaluating vehicle durability and validating the reliability of its revolutionary Chery Super Hybrid (CSH) technology platform.

"South Africa's challenging road safety environment demands solutions that transcend conventional approaches. By recreating one of our nation's most hazardous collision patterns, we're simultaneously validating the Tiggo 9's advanced safety systems while demonstrating how sophisticated engineering can meaningfully reduce the severity of real-world impacts," explained Verene Petersen, National Brand and Marketing Manager at Chery South Africa.

Proven Through Extreme Conditions

Previous validation exercises have included rigorous challenges such as an intensive 53-hour battery submersion test conducted in Indonesia's coastal waters and a demanding battery durability assessment completed in Mexico's harsh conditions. The strategic selection of South Africa for this particularly challenging collision scenario reflects Chery's core commitment: unwavering dedication to maintaining uniform global quality standards across all markets and operating conditions.

This pioneering approach demonstrates that true automotive innovation emerges not from avoiding challenges, but from embracing them as opportunities to advance the boundaries of what is possible in vehicle safety and protection.