Car News

Maxi-Cosi launches first ISOFIX car seat in Australia

Maxi-Cosi will become Australia’s first infant car seat provider to offer ISOFIX-compatible infant car seats with the launch of its ISOGO range.

MAXI-COSI HAS BECOME the first infant car seat maker in Australia to offer an ISOFIX-compatible infant car seat. Maxi-Cosi is offering two ISOFIX-compatible car seats under its new ISOGO range, the Euro and Hera, both are suitable for children from birth to four years and will go on-sale on 27 September with prices starting from $529 (Hera – pictured).

Maxi-Cosi launches Australia's first ISOFIX-compatible infant car seat

Maxi-Cosi says its new range of ISOFIX-compatible seats will go on-sale on 27 September because the ACCC is expected to announce the ratification of the relevant standard (Australian/ New Zealand 1754 Standard) allowing for ISOFIX seats that meet relevant Australian safety standards to be sold in Australia.

With a staggering 88% of infant car seats not fitted correctly, Australian parents have been desperate for ISOFIX-compatible seats with many resorting to ordering non-compliant ISOFIX seats from overseas.

So, what’s taken so long to get ISOFIX-compatible seats onto the Australian market? According to Maxi-Cosi, “ISOFIX compatible systems must comply with the Australian/ New Zealand 1754 Standard. Seats that comply must be fitted with rigid or flexible lower attachment connectors as well as top tether straps. The dynamic testing required varies from country to country and therefore a child restraint that is purchased overseas is illegal and any insurance will be null and void in the event of an accident. The Australian/ New Zealand 1754 Standard is known to be the most stringent in the world”.

What’s a rigid connector? This is a retractable pair of lower connectors found in the base of an infant car seat. It is much heavier than the flexible system and the connectors are designed to be a fixed distance apart from one another. The lower connectors are not designed to move independently and can only be tightened via a ratchet locking system.

So, what’s a flexible connector? This is a pair of lightweight lower connectors designed to attach individually. Each side of the lower connectors is fitted with a tension indicator that, when pulled to the optimal tension, turns green for validation of a correct installation.

Designed to make fitting an infant car seat sercurely easier, ISOFIX is an international standardised fitting system for attaching infant car seats securely without the need for the vehicle lap sash seatbelt. Most modern cars sold in Australia offer ISOFIX mounting points, but if you’re not sure take a look at the base of your backseat in the gap between the base of the seat and the back of the seat. Generally there will be some writing saying ISOFIX above the mounting points; if in doubt, check with your local mechanic.

According to Maxi-Cosi, “fitting a Maxi-Cosi ISOGO car seat is easy. Simply click your ISOGO car seat into your car’s ISOFIX lower anchorage points and click the upper tether strap. You can then check the seat is correctly installed by making sure the harness tension colour indicator is green”.

“Our family is always on the go, so it is wonderful to finally have a car seat that
we can fit so quickly and be confident that it is properly fitted and secure,” says mother-of-two and Maxi-Cosi Ambassador, Rebecca Judd.

“Maxi-Cosi ISOGO has taken the guess work out of fitting our kids’ car seats, and we now have greater flexibility should grandparents or friends wish to borrow a car seat for a special day out”.

Maxi-Cosi ISOGO car seats will be available at selected specialty nursery outlets from 27 September 2014.


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Isaac Bober

Isaac Bober