Euro NCAP has sounded a warning over one of Europe’s newest budget EVs, after China’s Dongfeng Box managed only three stars in the latest round of crash tests.
The small electric hatchback, built by state-owned Dongfeng Motor Corporation, recorded 69 percent for Adult Occupant Protection. That might look acceptable on paper, but engineers found something far more troubling in the lab.
During the frontal offset Mobile Progressive Deformable Barrier test – a 50kph car-to-car style impact with 50 percent overlap – multiple spot welds in the Box’s body shell failed, weakening the structure around the cabin.
If those welds let go in a crash, the shell can distort more than intended, eating into survival space and undermining the job of the airbags and belts.
In this same test the Box’s doors did not unlock automatically after impact, which could slow rescue crews reaching occupants.
Euro NCAP also reported low inflation pressure in the steering-wheel airbag, allowing the driver’s head to strike the rim, and highlighted hard dashboard structures that threaten leg injuries.
There are no measures to stop front passengers hitting each other in a side impact, either.
“It was a concern that the spot welds were compromised during our tests and could be further compromised in higher-speed accidents. Such a failure must be addressed to match competitor vehicles in what’s a fast-growing part of the EV market,” said Euro NCAP programme director Dr Aled Williams.
The Box has already been on sale in Malaysia since last year.
The contrast with other newcomers is stark.
Cadillac’s Optiq, a compact electric SUV pitched against European premium brands, scored the full five stars, with 83 percent for Adult Occupant Protection, 81 percent for Child Occupant, 76 percent for Vulnerable Road Users and 74 percent for Safety Assist.
“There have been times in the past when US vehicles have fallen well short of the safety standards European consumers take for granted. But the performance of the Cadillac shows that America’s car makers can hold their own against the establishment from Europe and Asia,” Dr Williams said.
Volkswagen Group’s combustion-based stalwarts also fared well under 2025 protocols. The Audi Q3, Škoda Octavia, Volkswagen Golf and ID.4 all retained five stars, while the smaller T-Cross dropped to three.
Chinese maker Chery, meanwhile, provided the good-news story.
After Euro NCAP previously flagged poor rear curtain airbag performance on the Tiggo 7 and 8, the company redesigned the system. Retested, both SUVs now earn five stars.
“It is pleasing for Euro NCAP to highlight yet another example of a car manufacturer responding positively to the findings of our rigorous, independent safety tests,” said Dr Williams.
