Published>Wed, Oct 06 10 12:36 AM
Three new models crucial to resurgent U.S. automakers received positive, four-star ratings in U.S. government crash-safety tests that were toughened in response to concerns voiced by safety and consumer groups.
The news was less encouraging for Toyota Motor Corp. Its Camry, the best-selling vehicle in North America, earned an average three stars and was outperformed by virtually every other vehicle included in a first analysis of fifty-five 2011 models conducted by the Transportation Department.
Just two models, the Hyundai Motor Co Sonata sedan and the BMW 5 series, received the highest mark -- five stars.
The tests, whose results were released on Tuesday, used a reworked rating system that measures front, side and rollover crash protection for 2011 vehicles. More results are due out in coming months.
General Motors Co's Chevrolet Malibu sedan, which accounted for 162,000 sales in 2009, earned good ratings for front crash protection and excellent in the side test. The Malibu's rollover ratings were also good, but that rating is more telling for sport utilities and pickups with their higher center of gravity.
Ford Motor Co's Fiesta compact posted scores identical to those of the Malibu in the safety tests. Ford is placing a large bet on the vehicle, whose early sales are promising.
Chrysler's Jeep Grand Cherokee four-wheel-drive SUV, a redesigned vehicle that is the first model to be reintroduced since the automaker's bankruptcy in 2009, received the same marks as Malibu and Fiesta. A rear-wheel version scored only average marks for rollover.
Crash test data can affect sales, and automakers will quickly tout any vehicles that receive good or high marks. Vehicle safety overall has received more public scrutiny this year, triggered by unresolved questions about unintended acceleration of Toyota vehicles.
Chrysler and GM, both of which received bailout and bankruptcy aid, are partly owned by the U.S. Treasury.
Comparing Camry's new rating with prior ones is difficult. The 2010 Camry received high marks under the system that was replaced.
Source: Web Search
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