On 20 August, Chery made history in South Africa by successfully conducting Africa’s first real-world dual-vehicle collision test.
During the test, the two Tiggo 9 SUVs collided head-on at 50 km/h. Instead of hitting squarely, they collided with only half of their front ends overlapping – replicating one of the most common and dangerous types of accidents. High-speed monitoring confirmed that the Tiggo 9 cabins remained completely intact, with zero deformation of the A-, B-, or C-pillars.
Unlike conventional single-vehicle barrier tests, a dual-vehicle crash scenario places far greater stress on both of the vehicles. This is because energy is distributed between two moving masses rather than being absorbed by a static wall. For South African motorists, this test is particularly relevant: research shows that head-on collisions in the country occur more frequently and have a higher fatality rate than the global average.
Verene Petersen, National Brand and Marketing Manager at Chery South Africa, notes that the dual-vehicle crash test was more than just a technical trial. “It represented a milestone in African automotive safety – the first of its kind, carried out in a country where road safety is an urgent priority.
“South Africans deserve proof, not promises. We aimed to demonstrate how Chery vehicles perform under the toughest real-world conditions. The Tiggo 9’s structure and safety systems responded exactly as designed, reinforcing the confidence families can have when choosing our brand.”
All the restraint systems worked as intended. The driver and passenger airbags deployed instantly, along with the driver’s knee airbag. The seatbelt pre-tensioners engaged seamlessly, reducing occupant movement and ensuring that crash forces were absorbed by the strongest parts of the vehicle’s body. Importantly, the fuel system stayed completely sealed, with no risk of post-impact fire.
Even more significant was what happened after the crash. All four doors could still be opened normally, providing easy access for emergency services. The hazard lights activated automatically, warning approaching drivers and reducing the risk of secondary collisions.
The Tiggo 9 has been engineered to meet global five-star safety standards, and this test provided visible proof. Its structure is made up of 85% high-strength steel, the highest proportion in its class. Of this, 21% is hot-formed ultra-high-strength steel rated at 1,500 MPa, reinforcing critical load-bearing areas such as the A- and B-pillars.
The front end features a dual aluminium-alloy anti-collision beam system, measuring 140 mm in height and spanning 85% of the vehicle’s width. Six additional energy-absorbing crash boxes are strategically placed to dissipate impact forces. Together, these design elements ensure that energy is channelled away from the passenger cell, preserving survival space.
Beyond the robust structure, the Tiggo 9 showcased the value of its 10-airbag system. The long 2,060 mm curtain airbags stretched from A- to D-pillar, protecting all outboard passengers and retaining over 50% pressure even six seconds after deployment. This prolonged inflation helps reduce injuries in cases of rollover or multi-impact crashes.
A far-side airbag, positioned between the driver and front passenger seats, was also triggered. This innovative feature prevents secondary collisions between occupants during side impacts or severe swerves.
Chery sees safety as “the ultimate luxury”. This principle is evident in the way the brand subjects its vehicles to rigorous global testing. In recent years, Chery has immersed batteries in seawater in Indonesia, conducted high-altitude scraping tests in Mexico, and now carried out Africa’s first dual-vehicle crash test in South Africa.
“By subjecting two of our own vehicles to a collision under such demanding conditions, we have reinforced Chery’s core belief that true safety is proven in practice, not claimed in brochures,” added Petersen.
“The Tiggo 9 emerged from the test with its passenger cabins intact, its systems working as intended, and its promise to protect families fulfilled. For South Africa – and for Africa as a whole – this demonstration has set a new benchmark for transparency, engineering confidence, and consumer trust,” she concludes.
Dez Bonbon
Nthato Motlana – Dr. Nthato Motlana is ‘the renaissance man’ of South Africa, with successful careers in politics, medicine and business. He was the founder of NAIL and a mentor to many of the top business leaders in South Africa today. He is considered by many to be the father of economic empowerment in South Africa.