Mercedes-Benz has always built expensive vehicles that were some of
the safest on the planet not only with safety features (first with anti-lock
brakes, air bags, side cutline air bags, lane drift protection, etc., etc.) but
in structural engineering. So regarding safety, how does a more common
Chevrolet stack up with a Mercedes?
The Wall Street Journal reports that safety technology that was once the
exclusive realm of expensive luxury vehicles is quickly moving down to
common and even economy vehicles.
With regard to the progression of safety features, the Journal says, “If you
went shopping for an affordable compact car in 1994, here’s what you’d
have found at a Chevrolet dealer: A Chevy Cavalier with no air bags, no
electronic stability control, and a price at somewhere around $12,000.”
The Journal continues by saying, “This fall, you’ll find the Cavalier’s
successor, the 2011 Chevy Cruze. This General Motor’s Co. compact
car has 10 standard air bags-including a set for the front passengers’
knees-electronic stability control, a system that senses when a car is at
risk of rolling over, and another that automatically tightens the seatbelts
in advance of a crash.”
As the digital technology to build safer vehicles came down in price,
automakers built such safety features in to vehicles from the start.
Additionally, consumers have the ability to quickly compare the safety
features and safety ratings of vehicles without going from dealership
to dealership. Thus, automakers know that a vehicle that lacks safety
features will simply not sell, and automakers need all the sales they can
get!
Cars including the Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic, and Ford Fiesta have
multiple air bags. Electronic stability control is becoming a standard
feature on compact and sub compact cars. Additionally, high strength
steel is being used to make vehicle bodies lighter, stronger, and enable
crash forces to be directed to impact absorbing zones.
And the result of these safety innovations? A Federal Department
of Transportation report claims that the 2009 the death toll on U.S
highways was the lowest in 50 years.
So, is a Chevy as safe as a Mercedes that costs 2-3 times more?
Well, the gap has closed and there is not all that much difference
between the two. And that is good news indeed!
To research the safety of vehicles, visit: IHS vehicle safety ratings.
Have an auto question or comment? You can email it to me at
Kbusch3@verizon.net. Kyle Busch is the author of “Drive the Best
for the Price…” www.DriveTheBestBook.com.
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