All New Holden Barina Earns Maximum Safety Rating in Europe

VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA – Aug 29, 2011: The all-new Barina, due to arrive in Australia soon, has received a five-star safety rating from the European New Car Assessment Program (EuroNCAP).

The new-generation Barina hatchback, which was launched as the Chevrolet Aveo in Europe, performed strongly in key areas of adult and child occupant safety to place it amongst the best in its segment.

The Chevrolet Aveo achieved a score of 95 per cent in the adult occupant safety category and 87 per cent in child occupant safety.

Holden Executive Director, Sales, Marketing and Aftersales John Elsworth said the result was extremely pleasing and augurs well for local testing of the new Barina hatch by Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) later this year.

“This is a fantastic endorsement for GM’s new global light car,” he said.

“Barina has been designed to meet the highest occupant safety standards around the world and we’re very confident it will perform strongly here as well.”

“It’s a really important part of Holden’s new small car portfolio, which focuses on safety, fun-to-drive performance, youthful styling and value for money.”

The Holden Barina will boast a high level of standard safety features when it goes on sale in Australia.

Barina will feature the active safety benefits of Electronic Stability Control (ESC), incorporating an anti-lock braking system, brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution and traction control.

Occupants will be protected by a total of six airbags – dual front, front side impact and full length curtain airbags.

Barina is part of GM’s family of global vehicles and is sold as the Chevrolet Aveo in Europe and Asia and the Chevrolet Sonic in North America.