Australian motorists will find fewer car options in showrooms as of March 1, 2025, due to new national vehicle safety regulations. The latest update to the Australian Design Rules (ADR) mandates that all new vehicles must be equipped with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)—a significant shift aimed at reducing road accidents and fatalities.
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While this regulation brings Australia in line with international safety standards, it also means that some popular models are no longer allowed for sale because they lack the required AEB technology.
What Is AEB & Why Is It Now Mandatory?
🔹 Understanding Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
AEB is an advanced safety feature that automatically applies a vehicle’s brakes when an imminent collision is detected, reducing the severity of an accident or preventing it altogether.
✔ Detects vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles ahead
✔ Works using cameras, radar, and sensors
✔ Operates at both low and high speeds
🔹 Australia Adopts Global Safety Standards
The introduction of mandatory AEB aligns Australia with United Nations Regulation 152, already enforced in Europe. Safety experts say AEB can significantly reduce road deaths and injuries, making it one of the most effective car safety technologies today.
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How AEB Will Impact Road Safety in Australia
According to Dr. Angelo D’Elia from the Monash University Accident Research Centre, this new regulation is expected to prevent:
🚗 36 fatalities per year
🚗 688 serious injuries annually
“For low-speed crashes (under 60 km/h), AEB reduces fatalities and serious injuries by 28%,” Dr. D’Elia explained. “For high-speed crashes (over 60 km/h), the reduction is even greater—45%.”
With Australia’s road toll remaining a concern, this move is considered essential to modernizing the country’s vehicle fleet and ensuring safer driving conditions for all motorists.
Which Cars Have Been Banned in Australia?
Not all automakers have been able to integrate AEB technology into their existing models. As a result, several popular vehicles are now discontinued in Australia, including:
🚗 Suzuki Models
❌ Suzuki Ignis
❌ Suzuki Baleno
❌ Suzuki S-Cross
🚗 Mitsubishi Models
❌ Mitsubishi ASX
❌ Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
❌ Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
🚗 Mazda & Renault Models
❌ Mazda 6 (ending its 22-year run in Australia)
❌ Renault Kangoo & Trafic (older versions)
🚗 Fiat, LDV & Mahindra Models
❌ Fiat 500 & Abarth variants
❌ LDV G10 & V80
❌ Mahindra Pik-Up
🚗 Luxury & Performance Models
Even high-end cars aren’t exempt from the AEB mandate:
❌ Aston Martin DB11 & DBS
❌ Lamborghini Aventador & Huracan
❌ Porsche 718 select models
While some manufacturers may introduce AEB-equipped versions of these cars in the future, the current models without AEB are no longer legal for sale in Australia.
A Shift Towards Safer Roads—Why This Change Was Inevitable
The push for AEB adoption isn’t new. The Australasian Fleet Management Association (AfMA) and ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) have been advocating for this safety feature since 2012. By 2015, ANCAP included AEB as a key requirement in safety ratings, putting pressure on car manufacturers to comply.
Volvo was the first automaker to make AEB standard in 2008, and since then, most mainstream brands have followed suit. With this new regulation, Australia joins many other nations in making AEB a must-have safety feature, further reducing the risks of road accidents.
Final Thoughts—What This Means for Australian Drivers
✔ New cars sold in Australia must have AEB from March 1, 2025
✔ Popular models without AEB are now banned
✔ AEB is proven to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities
✔ This move aligns Australia with global safety standards
If you’re in the market for a new car, make sure AEB is included in your vehicle’s safety features. This rule change marks a significant step toward making Australian roads safer—one car at a time.
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