Today, Euro NCAP releases the results of two cars in the small family class, the Honda Civic Hybrid and the Skoda Fabia. Neither car received the maximum five-star rating expected in adult occupant protection.

The Honda Civic Hybrid is the second environmentally concerned car that Euro NCAP has tested. Euro NCAP tested the Toyota Prius back in 2004, which received a five-star score in adult occupant protection. Today's result is hotly anticipated throughout Europe where fleet buyers and consumers are increasingly seeking out cars with lower CO2 emissions and higher safety scores, to benefit from the growing use of tax incentives and to avoid road charging.

Euro NCAP's Secretary-General Adrian Hobbs said "Consumers may be asking themselves whether high safety scores and a hybrid power train can go hand in hand. Both Honda and Toyota have shown that they are rising to the challenge in their efforts to meet concerns about safety and global warming. It is now up to other manufacturers to follow in their footsteps.'

Today, Euro NCAP releases results for two cars in the Small Family categories.

The ratings for these cars can be seen in more detail at www.euroncap.com. The complete test results will be available from 25th July 2007.

Euro NCAP's commitment to consumers ensures that test results are released as soon as possible. Keep checking our website for details of forthcoming results.

For further information please contact: Cordelia Wilson, Communications Manager +32 2 4007746 or cordelia_wilson@euroncap.com.

Summary of Results

Small Family

Honda Civic Hybrid
Adult Occupant Protection: 4 stars
Child Occupant Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 3 stars

Skoda Fabia
Adult Occupant Protection: 4 stars
Child Occupant Protection: 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 2 stars

Editors' notes

1. With the introduction some time ago of the Child Occupant Protection rating it is important to refer to the Adult Occupant Protection rating correctly. In the past, this has been referred to as the "Overall" or "Occupant" rating. Neither of these is now satisfactory.
2. The front impact test is conducted at 64km/h (40mph) into an offset deformable barrier, the side impact test 50km/h (30mph), the pole test at 29km/h (18mph) and the pedestrian tests at 40km/h (25mph).
3. Comparison between Size Categories: It is essential that no attempt is made to compare the ratings between cars in different segments or mass groups. The frontal crash test aims to measure the performance of the car impacting another car of similar mass. There is no capability to determine what would happen if cars of widely different masses impact each other. It is not primarily the mass difference that has the effect, but the effect that mass has on the structural stiffness combined with the relative height of the structures from the ground.