ZERO HERO NISSAN NP300 HARDBODY 2.5D 4X4 DC HIGH

The big talk at the moment is that the Nissan NP300 “Hardbody” scored Zero stars – that’s right, a fat zero – for passenger safety in a recent re-test commissioned by a philanthropic organisation styled as #SaferCarsForAfrica, and conducted by the Automobile Association and the Global NCAP organisation.

In an effort to ensure that vehicles which are exported to various countries make the cut in safety terms, this is quite laudable. The NP300 is apparently exported to about 35 sub-Saharan countries, and to places like the UAE, Russia, the Ukraine and Lebanon. It’s been an export success, and over the years, a great staple as a fleet vehicle in South Africa – the police service and military must have thousands on their books. That has to be a particularly rough and tough testing ground for any vehicle.

What the zero rating means, however, is that the NP300 is probably now destined for the history books. Gone. Finished. Disgraced. One cannot in