Failed VW Passat crash test leads to its downfall in China

They came up with a solution of adding extra material at the front, at the cost of US $62 per vehicle.

Back in 2019, Volkswagen's flagship sedan, the Passat, failed an unofficial crash test in China, conducted by an Insurance Industry body. According to a media report, the video of the failed crash test went viral across China, triggering a massive backlash against Volkswagen in the country.

The result of the failed safety test was that it sent sales of the Passat plummeting downwards. Though Volkswagen responded immediately and fixed the issue, the sales of the Passat continue to remain low, with no sign of picking up anytime soon.

The Volkswagen Passat had previously passed the C-NCAP test as per the Chinese government regulations. However, the CIRI safety test is said to be a bit more stringent, which resulted in the Passat receiving a low score.

The sedan is manufactured in China by the SAIC-Volkswagen joint venture who immediately responded to the failed test. They came up with a solution of adding extra material at the front, at the cost of US $62 per vehicle. The solution allowed the Volkswagen Passat to pass the CIRI test the second time, but the damage was done.

According to the report, in 2020, SAIC-Volkswagen witnessed the sales of the Passat sedan drop by a massive 32%.

Source: Reuters

Thanks to Tamilarasan for the heads up.