Standard inclusion of AEB jumps ten-fold

Safety conscious car buyers have helped drive a quiet technological revolution that’s driven a spike in popular models fitted with autonomous emergency braking as standard equipment.

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ANCAP figures show 31 percent of models sold in Australia have some level of AEB across the line-up, compared to just three percent in December 2015.

By the end of 2015, only six of the top-100* selling models featured range-wide auto-braking: BMW 3 Series and X5, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and CLA-Class, and Subaru Liberty and Outback.

The number has grown steadily to 37, with more manufacturers, including Audi, Kia, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen, now installing AEB as standard in new and updated models.

This trend has seen the number of top-100 models with AEB as standard overtake those with no AEB at all – which have almost dropped by half, from 67 to 35, or 29 percent of the total light vehicle market, with most of these being trade utes and older models.

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Meanwhile the number of popular models offering AEB as an option or in higher spec variants has risen marginally from 27 to 28.

ANCAP Chief Executive James Goodwin said the numbers vindicate his organisation’s decision to get tough on vehicles without AEB when awarding its all-important safety ratings.

“This is an encouraging result for consumers, and the vehicle brands leading the charge should be commended,” Goodwin said.

“Over the past few years we have been educating the community of the benefits of this technology, and in parallel, pushing vehicle brands to include AEB as standard across model ranges and price points.

“To see one-third of all popular-selling models now offer this driver assistance technology as standard, we’ve moved some way closer to achieving a reduction in crash incidence and severity – but there is still a long way to go.

“This year we have adopted significant changes to our rating system to encourage the standard offering of AEB across the market, and we’re confident this will see a further acceleration in AEB availability.”

* The top-100 selling models represent 81 percent of the light-vehicle market. The percentages mentioned reflect the entire market.

Models with AEB as standard (from top-100 sellers, March 2018)

• Audi A3
• Audi Q2
• Audi Q5
• BMW 3 Series
• BMW X1
• BMW X3
• BMW X5
• Holden Commodore
• Hyundai Kona
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Kia Picanto
• Kia Sorento
• Land Rover Discovery Sport
• Land Rover Range Rover Sport
• Lexus NX
• Mazda 2
• Mazda 3
• Mazda 6
• Mazda CX-3
• Mazda CX-5
• Mazda CX-9
• Mercedes Benz A-Class
• Mercedes-Benz C-Class
• Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
• Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class
• Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
• Nissan Qashqai
• Nissan X-Trail
• Subaru Outback
• Toyota Camry
• Toyota C-HR
• Toyota Kluger
• Toyota RAV4
• Volkswagen Golf
• Volkswagen Polo
• Volkswagen Tiguan