PETALING JAYA: Carmakers in Malaysia are supportive of the Government’s move to make it mandatory for all new cars to have electronic stability control (ESC) by June 1, 2018.

BMW Group Malaysia corporate communications chief Sashi Ambi said the ESC would help make drivers and passengers safer on the road and reduce fatalities.

Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd group chief operating officer (Automotive Group) Datuk Samson Anand George said ESC had been standard on all Kia, Peugeot, Citroen and DS models for over a decade.

“The technology is a major breakthrough that could mean the difference between life and death.

“International studies indicate that ESC is the most effective safety technology introduced in vehicles since safety belts and works cohesively with other safety equipment, such as airbags, to provide comprehensive protection,” he added.



Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai had said a day earlier that the anti-skid technology could prevent at least 40% of deaths due to crashes from loss of control, as well as reduce the risk of collision.

Volvo Cars Malaysia managing director Lennart Stegland said ESC had proven to be one of the most significant advancement in traffic safety technologies since the invention of the three-point seatbelt.

“It is an important crash avoidance system that has helped drivers keep their cars in control and by doing so, saved countless lives,” he said.



Another industry player noted that while ESC would add another layer of protection, it was not just a simple plug-and-play device and associated control software.

“Some cars were designed without having such a feature to begin with.

“Following the latest mandate, it would mean a substantial cost is required to re-engineer and re-produce a vehicle that will be able to use ESC,” said the source, who did not wish to be named.

While ESC has been a standard safety equipment in premium cars, the system has managed to trickle its way down to more affordable medium and small vehicle segments over the years.



Different carmakers call it by different names such as Dynamic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Control, Dynamic Stability Traction Control or Electronic Stability Programme.

ESC works by using various sensors that monitor the car at every stage of mobility by up to a few hundred times per second.

If the system detects a loss of traction from the car, it instantly applies the brakes to the appropriate wheel(s), and if necessary, reduces engine output to help stabilise the vehicle or allow the driver to control the vehicle more easily.

READ MORE: Govt wants all new cars to have ESC system by 2018


 

 

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