The result reflects the introduction of a steering column shroud energy absorber across the VE sedan range that helps to reduce driver knee injuries, and a passenger seat belt reminder on the Omega sedan, introduced in October 2008.

These improvements are in addition to the front passenger side impact airbags and curtain airbags that were made standard across the range earlier this year.

The improvements join a long list of safety features found standard across the VE range including Electronic Stability Control (ESC) which incorporates Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Brake Assist (EBA) and Traction Control System (TCS).

GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Mark Reuss welcomed the result and said it was encouraging to receive this third party endorsement.

"We have always been very confident of this vehicle’s real world safety capabilities," Reuss said.

"Before we launched VE, we conducted almost 80 real world prototype crash tests and more than 5,000 crash test simulations using leading edge virtual technology."

"When it comes to safety we are committed to continually improving the passive and active safety features we offer."

"We are also pleased to see that ANCAP now acknowledges Electronic Stability Control in determining its ratings."