Kyle's Corner (FYI) New vehicle crash tests lower number of stars

2011 will bring
tougher govern-
ment crash tests
that will result in
fewer vehicles
earning the covet-
ed five-star rating
that many auto-
makers specify
in their car ads.

The U.S. Depart-

ment of Transportation released a new vehicle safety rating that will
be more rigorous and provides an overall safety rating plus sub scores.
The overall rating of one star will be the worst and five starts will be
the best.

In the past, too many vehicles were receiving a top safety rating
therefore, the government has made the testing harder.

For the first time, the crash tests will use dummies that simulate
female as well as male drivers. The tests will include vehicles
hitting a pole on the driver’s side. Additionally, the ratings will
note if vehicles are equipped with technology to prevent accidents
such as electronic stability control.

Some industry officials are concerned that consumers will be
confused with the ratings (that have been consistent from 1990
to 2010) as compared to the new more-demanding 2011 safety
standard.

So far, 33 2011 vehicles have been tested under the new guidelines
and only two vehicles – the 2011 BMW 5-Series and the Hyundai
Sonata have earned an overall score of five stars. This compares
with 99 2010 models that received five stars for front and side
crash tests.

Ok, what are the ‘real world’ results of 2010 compared to
2011 safety outcomes. Well, looking at vehicles that have
been unchanged between the two years (2010-2011) such as
the Ford Taurus and Toyota Camry, the safety rating changed.

The 2010 Ford Taurus received a five-star front crash rating but
only a four-star rating in 2011. And regarding the Toyota Camry,
the 2010 model received a five star-rating for its front crash but
only a three-star front crash rating for 2011.

Concerning Toyota’s response to the new safety rating, the
Wall Street Journal reports, “Toyota-which recalled millions
of vehicles this year for safety concerns-said in a statement it
anticipated the ratings could go down under the new system.
‘Toyota engineers are investigating measures to further enhance
safety performance so Camry again obtains outstanding assess-
ment results under the new rating system.’ the company said.”

Transportation department officials believe that the old safety
rating system is obsolete based on current vehicle safety
technology. Actually, the tougher safety standards were de-
veloped in 2008 under the Busch administration’s push for
better vehicle safety.

Some automakers fear that they will forgo vehicle sales because
some consumers will not buy vehicles that have less than a five-
star rating. And vehicle safety information is easy to obtain. See
my recent article: What’s safer a Mercedes or a Chevy?

Today it is a competitive world and we are all asked to do more
and do it better. Automakers welcome to today’s world!

Kyle Busch is the author of “Drive the Best for the Price…” He
welcomes your comments or car questions at his auto web site:
www.DriveTheBestBook.com.