June 25, 2015
The RACQ today attacked car industry promotional statements that could be interpreted as suggesting bull bars were “fashion accessories”.
An RACQ spokesman said that when referring recently to the bull bars for the new HiLux utility range, Toyota Australia president Dave Buttner referred to them as “good looking bars” and said they were “fashion accessories for our vehicles”.
RACQ Executive Manager Technical and Safety Policy Steve Spalding said while bull bars were a necessity for some motorists in parts of rural Queensland, he warned against urban drivers fitting them to simply be trendy.
“Bull bars should only be used if there’s a genuine risk of an animal strike,” Mr Spalding said.
“We don’t want to see the unnecessary fitment of bull bars to city-based cars, or for there to be any increased risk of serious injury to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians or cyclists.
“Bull bars should only be fitted when it’s a necessity, and should never be purchased to simply improve the look of a car.”
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Editorial comment:
The RACQ has managed to turn what should have been a good news story for Toyota Australia and Australian manufacturing into a negative.
Earlier this month Toyota Australia announced it had signed a large contract with Australian-owned family company Abcor to manufacture bullbars for its Hilux range.
Abcor builds the bull bars in two basic types – Prestige and Commercial – and in seven varieties. They all have to comply with Australian Design Rules that dictate safety.
The bars are designed to bend in the event of an animal strike and will deflect kangaroos weighing up to 80kg.
Abcor plans to export these bull bars to South Africa, New Zealand and possibly Asia and the Middle East.
It has invested $15 million into the project and built a new production facility in Victoria which can make between 10,000-12,000 bullbars a year.
Abcor currently employs 16 workers and when the HiLux commercial bullbars go into production next month, another six people will be hired.
While the RACQ is right when it says bullbars are not necessary in urban environments, this is nothing new.
However, instead of criticising Toyota Australia for statements probably made off the cuff at the recent promotional launch, we should all be applauding a decision by them to work with an Australian company to develop a new export item.
What the hell is the point in having a bar that bends when ya hit something?? Stupidest thing I have read all week.
Crumple zones diffuse the energy from a collision. A bent bar could maybe save your life.
Fashion? What is this world coming to if people complain about something that is put on the front of the car to stop huge dents ruining your vehicle (personal experience with a wild boar)? If people pay money they have a right. And being hit by a car is very rare in the city where you go about 10ks an hour.