ASEAN NCAP – Proton admits removing top tether from Saga, offers free retrofit
Following a disclosure by ASEAN NCAP that a locally-made vehicle that was tested and rated by the organization was subsequently sold with a deviation in safety equipment the public, Proton has acknowledged that it had omitted the child seat top tether from more recent productions of the Saga, which was given a three-star rating when crash-tested in 2013.
In a statement released yesterday, Proton states its ‘regret for the miscommunication with ASEAN NCAP’ regarding the child seat top tether that was ‘mistakenly omitted’ as part of a running change implemented on the Saga at an unspecified time.
The current Proton Saga dates back to 2008 when it was launched as the Saga BLM. A facelifted version, known as the Saga FL, was launched in 2010; the vehicle was further updated the following year with new transmissions and subsequently known as the Saga FLX. In 2013, ASEAN NCAP had initially tested the Saga FLX in its most basic single-airbag format, resulting in a lowly one-star adult occupant protection rating and 49 percent score for child protection rating.
After the test was performed, but before results were announced, Proton had released the Saga SV, which came with enhanced safety and a strengthened structure. Its list of enhanced safety features include the child seat top tether, front passenger airbag with air bag control unit, front seat belt pre-tensioner, rear centre three-point seat belt, and driver seat height adjustment. It is also structurally reinforced at the front and rear bumpers, rear back seat support, and against side impact at the front door and B-pillar.
The Saga was subsequently re-tested based on this updated specification, resulting in improved results of a three-star adult occupant protection rating and 59 percent for child occupant protection.
Proton emphasizes that its removal of the child seat top tether, which likely happened during the Saga’s most recent product update in August 2015, has no bearing on the vehicle’s adult occupant protection. Importance of the child seat top tether only comes into play when a child seat with the ISOFIX top tether mechanism is used. The Saga does not have ISOFIX base anchor points, but child seats can still be installed in the vehicle through the old-fashioned seat belt installation.
In its statement, Proton additionally mentions, “The top tether was not a regulatory requirement for OEMs to fit in their cars at the point when the car was tested. Although we had complied with safety regulations and other required conditions in the country, we had overlooked in updating ASEAN NCAP on the omission of the top tether from the current Saga models.”
To rectify the situation, Proton is offering free retrofit of the child seat top tether for owners of the current Saga who wish to do so. Customers are advised to call the company’s Customer Care Hotline 1 800 888398 or email customercare@proton.com for any enquiries and assistance to schedule such an appointment at their nearest service outlet.
