A Big Improvement In Car Safety

by Jeff Gilbert
WWJ AutoBeat Reporter

Sixty six vehicles have been awarded the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's "Top Safety Pick" designation for 2011, the most ever.

"This is good news," said institute President Adrian Lund. "Automakers are improving their vehicles quickly, and there are lots of choices out there if you're shopping for a vehicle for you and your family."

Hyundai/Kia and Volkswagen/Audi had the most picks, with nine each.  GM, Ford and Toyota were close behind with eight picks.  Most major automakers had at least one vehicle rated as a "Top Safety Pick."

"Vehicles from Japan, from Korea, from Europe and the United States, there are top safety picks coming from all manufacturers," said Lund, in an interview with WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert.

Last year, only 27 vehicles were chosen, after the Insurance Institute toughened the standards by adding a roof strength test.  Lund was especially encouraged that so many automakers improved the safety of their vehicles from last year to this year.
 
"You can see manufacturers understand that they need to compete in the safety marketplace," he said.  "So, it's up to 66 this year."

Interview: IIHS President Adrian Lund talks with WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert.

The results are especially good news for the two auto companies leading the list, Hyundai and Volkswagen, because both have very aggressive North American expansion plans.

Hyundai said the award was particularly sweet for the Sonata, which also received the top score of five stars in the government's crash test program. The combination put Sonata "in a safety position unsurpassed in the industry," said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America.

Mark Barnes, Volkswagen of America's chief operating officer, said the recognition for VW was a "testament to our commitment to engineering safe vehicles."

The vehicles were chosen for protection in front, side and rear crash tests. To qualify for the award, the insurance industry group also requires the vehicles to have anti-rollover electronic stability control, or ESC, and receive top scores in roof strength tests.

Institute president Adrian Lund said several automakers have requested tests for new models coming out early next year and Lund predicted more winners would be added.

"Increasingly automakers are taking safety into account from the beginning when they design new vehicles."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.