Small car Nio Firefly earns top safety rating in China's collision assessment
In the latest China Insurance Automotive Safety Index (C-IASI) evaluation, the Nio Firefly, Huawei-backed Aito M9, and Onvo L60 have emerged as the safest small cars, achieving top-tier performance across all four assessed categories. These models have secured the highest "Good" (G) or "Good+" (G+) ratings, making them the safest small cars on the market [1][2][3].
The Nio Firefly, in particular, is noteworthy for being the first compact car to earn "all-good" ratings and G+ scores across occupant safety, pedestrian safety, and active safety systems, as well as a G rating in crashworthiness and maintenance economy. This impressive feat was achieved under a more stringent C-IASI protocol recently introduced [3].
In contrast, the Tesla Model 3 scored lower, achieving Good (G) ratings in three categories but only a Medium (M) rating in crashworthiness and repair economy. This indicates that the Tesla Model 3 performed less well in structural integrity and repair costs compared to the three Chinese models [2].
Here's a breakdown of the models' performances in the C-IASI evaluation:
| Model | Crashworthiness & Maintenance Economy | Occupant Safety | Pedestrian Safety | Active Safety (Vehicle Auxiliary) | |------------------|--------------------------------------|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------------------------| | Nio Firefly | G | G+ | G+ | G+ | | Huawei Aito M9 | G or G+ (same top-level scores) | G+ | G+ | G+ | | Onvo L60 | G or G+ (same top-level scores) | G+ | G+ | G+ | | Tesla Model 3 | M | G | G | G |
The Nio Firefly's high safety is attributed to smart overall vehicle design, powerful hardware capabilities, and high-quality materials. The Firefly is equipped with nine airbags, more than the eight in the BMW X and the seven in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class [3].
Daniel Jin, president of the Nio sub-brand, stated on Weibo that the Firefly's philosophy is to build the safest small cars for global users. He also mentioned that achieving higher safety standards for small cars like the Firefly is challenging due to cost, size, and limited crumple space.
The Firefly has completed production line adjustments, and production is set to ramp up this week, with deliveries scheduled to accelerate. With its exceptional safety ratings and innovative design, the Nio Firefly is poised to make a significant impact in the automotive industry.
In C-IASI's evaluation, scores range from P, M, A, G, to G+ from lowest to highest. The Nio Firefly, Onvo L60, and Aito M9 tied for the highest scores in the latest C-IASI evaluation, making them the leaders in automotive safety for small cars [1][2][3].
References: [1] C-IASI Official Website [2] China Daily [3] TechNode
- The Nio Firefly, a compact car, obtained the first "all-good" ratings and G+ scores in occupant safety, pedestrian safety, and active safety systems, as well as a G rating in crashworthiness and maintenance economy, outperforming other vehicles in the China Insurance Automotive Safety Index (C-IASI) evaluation.
- In the C-IASI's latest evaluation, the Tesla Model 3, despite achieving Good (G) ratings in three categories, only managed a Medium (M) rating in crashworthiness and repair economy, indicating lesser performance in structural integrity and repair costs compared to the Nio Firefly, Huawei Aito M9, and Onvo L60.
- The Nio Firefly's superior safety is credited to its smart overall vehicle design, powerful hardware capabilities, and high-quality materials, featuring nine airbags, more than other luxury cars like the BMW X and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
- Daniel Jin, president of the Nio sub-brand, expressed on Weibo that the Firefly's mission is to create the safest small cars for global users, acknowledging the challenges posed by cost, size, and limited crumple space to achieve higher safety standards in such vehicles.
- Under the C-IASI's stricter evaluation protocol, the Nio Firefly, Onvo L60, and Aito M9 tied for the highest scores, making them front-runners in automotive safety for small cars, demonstrating their potential to significantly impact the automotive industry.
