Mr Belcher presented an updated summary of results from joint Australian and Canadian pole side impact crash test research (PSI-07-03). This update provided further details of oblique and perpendicular pole side impact tests of Australian and Canadian market Fiat 500s.

The WorldSID 50th percentile male dummy responses indicated a significantly lower AIS 3+ thorax injury risk for the Canadian model. It was noted that the thorax airbag in the Canadian market vehicle had deployed significantly earlier and was substantially larger than the thorax airbag in the Australian market vehicle. There had been significantly less kinetic impact energy absorbed through deflection of the dummy ribs in the Canadian vehicle and there was no evidence of a substantial increase in impact energy absorption for other body regions. The improved thorax responses observed for the Canadian model were therefore most heavily linked to earlier airbag deployment and more impact energy being absorbed by the larger thorax airbag design.

Results presented for repeated 32 km/h oblique pole side impact tests of the Canadian market Fiat 500 showed excellent repeatability in dummy responses and test configuration (alignment etc).

Mr Hogan noted that the degree of adaptation required for vehicles to meet a 32 km/h oblique pole test standard was likely to be relatively minor for countries with a substantial proportion of 5 star NCAP rated vehicles.

Ms Versailles added that many of the development costs associated with meeting a 32 km/h oblique pole test regulation have already been incurred by manufacturers who have designed vehicles to meet the FMVSS 214 pole side impact requirements. This means many manufacturers have already developed effective countermeasures that are already in production and costs will be likely to decrease with time.