The four Renault models that were questioned for their safety risks are the following: Scenic, Megane, Megane Coupe-Cabriolet, and the Laguna. These alleged automobiles belong to Renault’s crème de la crème. According to Automotive News, the decision to halt the import was made by the General Administration of Quality Supervision Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) of China.

The statement from AQSIQ read as follows: “We have repeatedly found batches of passenger vehicles made by the French Renault … do not conform with our country’s mandatory standards and relevant technical regulations, and there are serious safety risks.”

As far as China’s ill record for automobile safety with its locally made Brilliance BS6, Renault’s banned imports can be quite ironic and amusing. However, it is important to note that China is today’s largest market in automobiles, making the Renault ban a painful stab for the French automaker.

At present, the French company has yet to issue a statement. The spokesman for Renault only revealed that they were “surprised” with China’s decision to ban and question, taking into consideration that the banned models’ quality has been tested and evaluated in terms of press reviews and professional driving tests.

As of today, eight of its vehicles in different categories have won the Euro NCAP’s crash test programme. In 2002, Megane II won 5 stars in its segment. In 2003, the Kangoo won 4 stars; Twingo won 3 stars while Escape IV, Laguna II and Scenic II won 5 stars in their segment. Escape IV was named the “safest car on the market”. In 2004, Modus and Megane CC won 5 stars while in 2005, Vel Satis and Clio also won the same titles in their segments. Vel Satis and Megane CC were named “Best in Class”.

Following the NCAP’s points-scoring system, Renault Laguna was judged to be the safest car in the family car segment with regard to adult occupants as well as child occupants. Renault Kangoo was named the safest car for child occupants in the MPV segment while the Renault Megane CC clinched the safest car title for adult occupants in Roadsters and cabriolets segment. Surveys have shown that road deaths could reduce by 40% if people chose the safest cars using the Euro NCAP results. The survey went on to reveal that nearly 700 lives could be saved in UK if all cars matched the features of Renault Laguna – the Euro NCAP test topper.

At 40mph, only Laguna allows the occupants to emerge largely uninjured. The front bags have the “smart” twin-level inflation front airbags. This helps to judge the severity of impact. A combination of eight airbags along with seat-belt pretensioners and seat-belt load limiters is used to reduce the impact on the passengers. The collapsible brake pedals and anti-submarining seats keep the occupants in place. It also features the ABS, Brake Assist and electronic tyre pressure monitoring.