From March 1, 2024, a significant change in Australia’s vehicle safety regulations will take effect, requiring all new cars sold in the country to be equipped with autonomous emergency braking (AEB). The rule, known as ADR 98/100, aligns Australia’s safety standards with European regulations and aims to reduce road crashes and collisions.
While this change is expected to improve overall road safety, it will also lead to the discontinuation of several popular car models that do not meet the new standards.
What Is ADR 98/100?
The Australian Design Rules (ADR) are national standards regulating vehicle safety, emissions, and overall performance. The new ADR 98/100 mandates that AEB systems must be fitted as a standard feature in almost all new vehicles sold in Australia, regardless of when they were originally introduced.
AEB is designed to automatically apply the brakes if an impending collision is detected, helping to either prevent a crash or reduce its severity. The system, already required in Europe under United Nations Regulation 152, has been shown to significantly reduce rear-end collisions and road trauma.
According to Swinburne University’s Hussein Dia, the industry has had time to prepare for this change since the legislation was first introduced in 2021. However, manufacturers that cannot upgrade their models to include AEB technology will have to discontinue those vehicles.
Which Cars Will Be Discontinued?
A range of mainstream and luxury vehicles will be affected by the new regulation. Some manufacturers have already announced that they will withdraw certain models from the Australian market, including:
- Fiat 500 (petrol models) and Abarth variants
- LDV G10 and V80
- Mahindra Pik-Up
- Suzuki Baleno, Ignis, and S-Cross
- Mitsubishi ASX, Eclipse Cross, and Pajero Sport
- Renault Kangoo and Trafic (older versions)
- Aston Martin DB11 and DBS
- Lamborghini Aventador and Huracan
- Certain Porsche 718 models
For some brands, this means replacing phased-out models with new vehicles that meet ADR 98/100. For example, Suzuki Australia will replace the Ignis with the Suzuki Fronx, which includes an AEB system.
How Will This Affect Australian Car Buyers?
While the rule change is aimed at improving road safety, there are potential economic impacts for both manufacturers and consumers.
- Higher car prices – The requirement to install AEB in all new cars could lead to increased production costs, which may be passed on to buyers.
- Limited availability of budget models – Some affordable small cars and utes that lack AEB may be discontinued, reducing options for buyers looking for low-cost vehicles.
- Stronger market alignment with Europe – With Australia adopting international safety standards, the range of vehicles available in the country may become more similar to those in Europe.
The industry’s response to AEB requirements
Many road safety organizations and automobile associations support the move.
According to James Williams, head of policy at the Royal Automotive Club of Victoria (RACV), AEB technology has already been proven to reduce crash severity and road trauma.
- Data from Monash University’s Accident Research Centre suggests that AEB could reduce vehicle occupant injuries by 28%.
- European NCAP studies show that AEB can cut rear-end crashes by 40%.
Williams emphasized that prioritizing vehicle safety over dealership profits is a necessary step toward reducing Australia’s road toll.
