RENAULT has picked up a record fifth Safety Award at What Car? magazine's annual awards and ".....set the standard which other manufacturers aspire to," said editor Rob Aherne. The 2004 Safety Award recognises Renault's latest tally of five cars to score five EuroNCAP stars, as well as its ongoing work with over 15,000 primary schools around the country teaching road safety to pupils through its Safety Matters programme.

The Renault Laguna was famously the first car to score five stars in a EuroNCAP crash test in 2001, followed by the New Megane and Vel Satis in 2002. "Since Renault picked up last year's Safety Award, the Scenic and Espace have joined this impressive list," commented Aherne. "All other manufacturers combined can only muster a further six between them." Aherne continued: "The company's approach to safety doesn't begin and end with lots of airbags and a stiff bodyshell. Renault continues to run its road safety website, Safety Matters (www.safetymatters.renault.co.uk) as part of its international Safety For All programme."

"The last year has seen great successes for Renault's safety programmes. Renault became the first and only manufacturer to have five cars with a five-star EuroNCAP rating, leading the way in occupant safety, while continuing is excellent work in the community with our Safety Matters schools' programme," Renault UK managing director, Philippe Talou-Derible, said after the awards. "This trophy will stand proudly in our trophy cabinet alongside the four other What Car? Safety Awards and the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award which Renault UK won just before Christmas."

Mr Talou-Derible concluded: "I would like to thank What Car? magazine for recognising that safety plays a significant part in car buyers' decisions today and that there are still large differences in the crash test performance of various cars. As I said last year, if you're thinking safety, then think Renault."