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Manufacturers slow on ESC fitment

Date: 30 September 2009

Car manufacturers are being slow to make ESC anti-skid control technology standard, according to automotive research organisation Thatcham.

63% of models on sale in the UK offer the technology as standard despite laws requiring it to be included in all models by 2012. The number of cars offering ESC as standard has risen from 40% in 2006, but Thatcham believes the industry has a task on its hands.

"Given the impending regulatory requirements, there is clearly a large gap in the standard fitments that must be filled in only a few years," said a Thatcham spokesman.

Thatcham has also been testing ESC systems for the first time, assessing 15 different models from 12 manufacturers' ranges. All 15 models passed the assessment, but Thatcham did note several points of interest in its testing.

It commented that the Alfa Romeo Mito failed the test when in its 'Dynamic' driving mode, and that there were some cars, such as the Vauxhall Insignia, that left the deployment of ESC later than others.

Thatcham assessed the responsiveness and stability of the ESC system, turning the steering wheel up to 270 degrees while travelling at 50mph.

The full report can be downloaded here.

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