The Geely Zi You Jian is a small sedan from Geely, its one of their newer designs, although we’re not sure of its correct English name, thus China Car Times refers to it as the ‘Freedom Vessel’ which is pretty much its Chinese name translated to English.
The Freedom Vessel recently took part in a Russian crash test, and the results were not good, so bad in fact, that the Geely Freedom Vessel was renamed the ‘Death Vessel‘ and was awarded 0 stars.
Other Chinese companies have succesfully crash tested in Russia, including Lifan (5 stars) and the BYD F3 (unknown, rumored to be above 3)
The Chinese motoring press are saying the crash test was carried out by the Russian magazine, Automotive Review. Automotive review bought the car from a local dealer for just less than $12,000USD. The test was carried out at the Euro NCAP speed of 64kph, which is slightly faster than the local Russian standard of 53kph. Geely did not have any knowledge of the crash test.
In 2006, Geely sold 800 units of the Freedom Vessel to Russia, in 2007 Geely sold 8000 units, so its fair to say that Geely Freedom Vessel is popular in Russia, but will strong sales continue into 2008? We will wait and see.
This is an old platform that apparently is derived from the Daihatsu Charade that the original Xiali was built off of.
Looking at the firewall (of the uncrashed vehicle) I always got the impression that it had been beaten into submission with a sledgehammer.
hahaha, another “giddy” success
it seems like Geely is the only one that is not learning.
From Geely Otaka to this.
Its easy really-you buy and drive junk you gunna die!!! The peoples choice!
at least they are pushing the boundaries of the eNCAP ratings
Pushing the boundaries? It looks like they slightly tapped the boundary and the car fell apart!
Yep -a new test regime and ratings being started now by a new body - eNCRAP
Is the video released yet ash ?
How can a company knowingly put a car this bad onto the market? Do they not test them themselves before releasing them on the poor unsuspecting public??
I think this was tested at the C-Ncap at 50 kmph, I think there is an article at China car times here, it did quite ok in C-Ncap but now when it is put through a 64 kph test, it is a disaster.
http://www.chinacartimes.com/2008/02/05/more-on-the-geely-death-vessel/