The Automobile Association (AA) of South Africa notes Chinese automaker Jetour’s recent submission confirming the updated payload (load-carrying) capacity of the Jetour T1 and T2 passenger vehicles, following recent debate around the vehicles’ original homologated payload rating of 300kg.
Jetour has announced that, following engagements with the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) regarding the approved payload capacity applicable to these models, the NRCS has approved an uprated payload of 475kg, inclusive of the driver.
The automaker has confirmed that insofar as the relevant vehicle falls within the model range and specifications covered by the NRCS approval, the revised payload capacity applies to both new and existing T1 and T2 vehicles in the local market.
Of urgent concern to the AA is the confirmation from Jetour that no mechanical, structural or component changes were required for the applicable T1 or T2 models, for the NRCS approval of the revised payload capacity. The new rating relates to the vehicles “in their existing mechanical and structural configuration”.
The AA has engaged the NRCS for comment on this decision, the NRCS feedback stated:
The vehicle model was (initially) approved based on the submitted documented evidence of compliance including the whole vehicle type approval brake test report which provided for the axle load capacity and Gross Vehicle Mass design capacity with a payload of rating of 375kg. The information also appeared on the vehicle’s manufacture’s mass data plate as required by vehicle compulsory specification.
When we conducted the vehicle homologation inspection, we verified that the vehicle manufacturer’s data plate and the technical information contained in the Notification of Vehicle Model form corresponded with the technical information as per the brake test report provided. Information was then captured and recorded on the NaTIS system.
There are no (subsequent) structural changes on the vehicle; however, the submitted brake test report covers those (updated) changes. This process is followed whenever there are changes in the approved vehicle model where safety compliance is likely to be impacted by the changes. The process caters for addition of variants and also for corrections.
The AA strongly questions:
- Whether it is sufficient for the NRCS to grant these approvals without independent testing by the regulatory body. Relying on supplied data is the equivalent of automakers ‘marking their own homework’. It is simply not good enough, without independent testing and evaluation, for such a safety-critical approval to have taken place – be it at initial homologation or subsequent rating amendments.
- How a payload can be revised through zero vehicle modifications being applied to accommodate the increased payload capacity. This poses a significant safety risk to T1 and T2 occupants – a payload capacity cannot simply increase by almost 200kg with zero attention to structural integrity.
- Jetour has confirmed that it is seeking updated licencing for new and existing owners. The AA questions the validity of local licensing authorities engaging with the automaker on an issue that poses real safety risks to consumers. This is an issue that mechanically and procedurally does not make sense.
The AA insists that:
- The NRCS urgently suspend the approval of the uprated payload-rating of 475kg pending a deeper investigation into both the initial 300kg rating, alongside the independent validity of the updated rating in the absence of structural and mechanical upgrades.
- The licensing authorities cease engagement with the carmaker on revised licensing for new and existing T1 and T2 models available locally.
- Consumers be vigilant of both the initial and updated load capacities of these models, especially when one considers that five average adults, excluding luggage, could easily exceed even the revised rating. These are vehicles that would be used for light off-roading activities magnifying the loading-consideration concern.
- The NRCS factors into its independent testing that hybrid models are heavier than traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) models. Between these T1 and T2 ranges there are hybrid considerations, making the blanket payload-capacity uprating that much more questionable.
- While towing is considered a separate rating, the combination of overloading and towing is a deadly combination from both a safety and stability point of view. This needs to be factored into the independent NRCS study.
- Financing institutions, the actual owners of these financed assets, to play an active role in promoting safer consumer mobility. Banks are financing Jetour vehicles not safe for public consumption.
- The AA asks the same of the insurance fraternity; insurance companies are covering a not-fit-for-purpose item that has the potential for injuries and casualties.
We appeal to the NRCS to institute independent testing and safety evaluation of all vehicles being introduced locally as a matter of urgency.
As the AA we remind motorists to be cognisant of TARE, Payload and Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) ratings and the impact these have on daily vehicle usage. Your vehicle’s TARE rating refers to the net weight of the vehicle before any loading is applied, be that in the form of occupants or goods and luggage. The Payload rating refers to the maximum loadbearing capacity safely permitted per the manufacturing parameters of the vehicle; this is the rating that tells you how much weight you can manually add to the vehicle through passengers and cargo. The GVM rating is the combination of the two, and is the final overall weight rating allowed per the specification of the car. Exceeding the stipulated ratings will negatively affect the safety of the vehicle, forcing the vehicle to perform outside its rated parameters which could lead to compromised handling and braking characteristics.
We ask the South African motorist to prioritise safer mobility. The AA strives for the safety and wellbeing of the South African motorist, if you have a consumer issue that is in need of our urgent mediation, please email theaa@aasa.co.za – we are at you side in every step of your ongoing mobility journey.