The Noble subcompact car, which the Shuanghuan Auto-mobile Co is scrambling to export to Europe, has been awarded the lowest rating ever given out in a Chinese crash test.

The China Automotive Technology and Research Center, the nation's official vehicle laboratory, gave two stars to Shuanghuan's Noble. This compared to the five-star rating achieved by Lavida, made by Shanghai Volkswagen, and the Yaris compact, made by Guangzhou Toyota. All three cars were reviewed in the same batch of tests.

Analysts said the results will make it more difficult for Shuang-huan to tap European markets, which usually require a higher safety standard.

"Whether Noble will pass the crash test in Europe is more questionable and depends on further improvement," said Jia Xinguang, the former chief analyst with the China National Automotive Industry Consulting and Development Corp.

Shuanghuan earlier said the Noble would enter European markets such as Italy and Greece next spring. It already sells the Noble in Southeast Asia and Africa. Monthly sales in Thailand are approaching 1,000 units.

Zhang Rui, communications officer of Shuanghuan, yesterday said the Noble has yet to be granted import approval by Europe and the car maker is improving product safety before taking the European crash test.

"Our determination to export our small cars to Europe and the US market remains unchanged," Zhang said.

The Noble is also likely to face a court battle in Europe because it has been accused of copying the design of Mercedes-Benz's Smart Fortwo.

(Shanghai Daily October 10, 2008)