NCAP China will develop its own assessment protocol and testing methodology based on the Euro NCAP model. It will be an independent programme providing comparative star ratings for all new passenger vehicles on the Chinese market.

The China Automobile Association (CAA), China’s largest automobile club, has partnered with Tsinghua University to usher in the initiative. The CAA will provide will over RMB30 million (£2.15 million) to fund the first phase of the project.

In a joint statement Xie Weihe, Vice President of Tsinghua University, and Richard Harding, CEO of CAA, said: “NCAP China will give the Chinese automotive industry its own world-class vehicle safety standards, supporting the Chinese industry’s international inspirations.”

The programme is seen as an important development for the region as China is already the world’s third largest car market behind the US and Japan. Five million cars were sold in China last year and growth continues unabated. It has been estimated by international experts that in countries where NCAP programmes have been established, car safety improvements have reduced the number of severe injuries resulting from road crashes by around 30 per cent.

Launching the programme Harding said that NCAP China is an essential programme to help the country’s automotive industry succeed in a global market. He said: “China needs a world-class consumer-based vehicle safety standard that builds confidence in the safety of cars sold and driven in China, as well as manufactured cars sold internationally. To enter the international market, China’s auto brands must break market entry barriers. That is one of the objectives of NCAP China.”

Major NCAP programmes worldwide, including Euro NCAP, US NCAP and Australian NCAP, have sent a letter of support welcoming NCAP China. The letter sets out the qualities that will make the programme a success, namely, fairness, transparency and independence.