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A joint public civil action of the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) with the Public Ministry of Minas Gerais (MP / MG) filed against General Motors Brasil (GMB), the National Transit Department (Denatran) and against the Union calls for the revocation of Todo First generation Chevrolet Onix, sold in Brazil between 2012 and 2017, for presenting alleged safety problems. About 1.3 million units were sold in the period.
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The action was motivated by a test carried out in 2017 by the Latin NCAP, in which Onix scored zero for side impact occupant safety.
“The deficiency of this model is so marked, that when the test was carried out, its rear door was opened, demonstrating the high risk for its occupants, especially children.” reported the Attorney General, Cléber Eustáquio Neves, one of those responsible for the action.
Latin NCAP tests with security standards based on other countries in the world. “The tests showed that the Brazilian Onix would not be approved by the UN regulation, nor by the Federal Standard for Vehicle Safety of the United States; that is, it could not even be sold in those countries, “said the prosecutor.
In Brazil, however, there is no (yet) mandatory side impact test, which means that the parameters analyzed in the country are not similar to those analyzed and valued by the international community.
The National Consumer Secretariat expressed itself and clarified that it is Denatran’s responsibility to authorize the sale of vehicles in Brazilian territory and that Latin NCAP is a private institution, with its own vehicle safety evaluation criteria.
At the time of the initiation of the investigations, in 2017, General Montors Brasil declared that “the vehicle complies with all the legal specifications of vehicular safety required in Brazil by the National Traffic Council (Contran) and by Denatran.” He also stated that the tests performed by Latin NCAP do not mean that the vehicle is unsafe.
However, with the new Brazilian Standard for Side Impact Tests (ABNT NBR 16204-1), published in 2013 and valid as of 2018, GMB reported that it will comply with the requirements established in this standard well in advance.
The changes mentioned by the manufacturer were made, at that time, and, in a new test, in 2018, the model was classified with three stars against side impacts.
The action recognizes the improvement in vehicle safety, complying with the new national regulations, but emphasizes that cars sold before the change of manufacturer continue to circulate on the streets, with imminent risk for their occupants and requires that GMB call to call all vehicle owners. model to go to the dealer closest to their homes to carry out the necessary repairs on the sides of the vehicles.
A problem needs to be addressed, however: it may be impossible to carry out this type of structural repair (or reinforcement) at a dealership, or even at the factory after the car manufacturing process, to ensure occupant safety.
Prosecutors continue to demand that the Union amend Brazilian vehicle safety legislation to meet international standards.
The lawsuit calls for urgency in the trial, alleging that the model has been the best-selling model in Brazil for years and that, therefore, the delay in the process puts the lives of thousands of people at risk.
Questioned by four wheels, General Motors Brazil issued the following position:
- The car received a 3-star rating when it was launched
- Latin NCAP changed the protocol and retested with the result of 0 star, in May 2017
- This happened when the car was already adjusting according to our planning.
- Then in January 2018 the car was tested again and became 3 stars again
- So the car was not 0 stars in the period from 2012 to 2018
- The car has always met all the legal vehicle safety specifications required in Brazil.
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