Multimac, the leader in child car seat technology, is delighted to announce that it has received R129 accreditation. For 15 years, Multimac has pioneered the world’s only multi-child car seat solution, designed for two or more children aged between 0 and 12.
The Ideal Solution for Growing Families
Recognising that car seats are both a necessity and a legal requirement, Multimac has developed a range of three and four-seater child seats in varying widths. These seats can accommodate children from birth up to 12 years old and beyond. For families who don’t want to invest in a large SUV when welcoming a third or fourth child, Multimac offers a practical solution. Most family vehicles only allow for two secure child car seats, but Multimac provides a safe and legal option that fits any standard five-seater car—expertly attaching to a wide range of vehicles, from Minis to Rolls Royces.
The Vision Behind Multimac
The story of Multimac begins with British engineer Kevin Macliver. In 1995, after the birth of his fourth child, he sought a better alternative to traditional car seats. While working full-time at Impact Energy, he designed the Multimac. Now, 15 years later, Multimac remains a family-run business based in Birmingham, with Kevin’s third child, Minty Macliver, joining the team as Head of Operations. Since its inception, Multimac has sold over 15,000 car seats to families worldwide, shipping from their manufacturing base in Coventry. The company’s ongoing success can be attributed to its sheer determination and commitment to safety.
Rigorous Testing for Enhanced Safety
Child safety is of utmost importance, especially concerning car seats, which undergo stringent testing. With a mission to enhance safety standards, Kevin collaborated with the renowned Swedish test house VTI. Multimac’s crash test results demonstrated superior performance compared to conventional child seats, capturing VTI’s attention. Whether accommodating a single baby or up to four 12-year-olds, Multimac’s unique energy-absorbing design sets it apart from competitors.
Recognising its potential to raise safety standards, VTI partnered with Kevin and Multimac to secure European approval under the stringent ECE 44-04 standard. Fifteen years later, the R129 standard was expanded to include belted child seats for children up to 12, completely replacing the old ECE 44-04 standard. This development marked a significant advancement in child seat safety protocols, with the introduction of advanced Q series crash test dummies featuring 32 sensors, significantly upgrading from the previous P series to provide a comprehensive evaluation of seat safety.
Due to their enhanced design and technology, the Q dummies are considerably more expensive than their predecessors. Most test houses have only one of each size for single child seat testing. However, Multimac uniquely requires four of the largest size, presenting a considerable challenge for testing and eventual accreditation of this world-class product.
Looking Ahead: R129 Multimac Available Soon
In April 2024, ahead of the phasing out of the ECE 44-04 standard by September 2024, Multimac successfully adapted to meet the new stringent safety requirements. The R129 Multimac will be available for purchase from www.multimac.com starting July 2024, with prices beginning at £1,699 (excluding accessories).
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