Fiat CEO Arnaud Belloni stated that buyers no longer understand Euro NCAP safety ratings. According to him, the organization changes its rules approximately every two years, so a car that received five stars under the old methodology might earn fewer upon re-evaluation. Belloni also claims that manufacturers rarely build their model development strategy solely around this rating.
The third-generation Fiat Panda serves as an example. In 2011, the model received four Euro NCAP stars, but in 2018, it scored zero under the updated methodology. The assessment approach changed significantly: driver assistance systems gained more importance, and the Panda's results in this area were low. Euro NCAP ratings are valid for six years, so the current Pandina does not have a valid rating. The Grande Panda has also not yet undergone the organization's tests.
Belloni's statement comes amidst the development of a small, affordable Fiat electric car. To keep the price down, the manufacturer will have to carefully select equipment. Reducing the number of electronic assistants could negatively impact the rating under current Euro NCAP rules, even if the car meets mandatory safety requirements for market entry.
However, the star rating remains a tool for comparing cars using a single methodology. It considers not only driver and passenger protection in a collision but also accident prevention, the performance of assistance systems, and post-accident safety. Therefore, a rating reduction after a protocol revision does not in itself prove that the car's design has worsened — it may reflect stricter testing criteria.