Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid nab five-star ratings from NHTSA]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/24/ford-fusion-and-fusion-hybrid-nab-five-star-ratings-from-nhtsa/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/24/ford-fusion-and-fusion-hybrid-nab-five-star-ratings-from-nhtsa/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/24/ford-fusion-and-fusion-hybrid-nab-five-star-ratings-from-nhtsa/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2013 Ford Fusion

Ford's Fusion and Fusion Hybrid have both received the highest five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The rating is a big upgrade for the Fusion, which was completely redesigned for 2013. The previous model fell one star short of the top rating, after scoring only three stars in the frontal crash test and four stars in the side crash test and rollover evaluations. The 2013 Fusion received four stars in side crash and rollover testing and a full five stars in the front crash test.

Test results for the 2013 Fusion and Fusion Hybrid were greatly improved at least in part due to Ford's Personal Safety System. The system utilizes smarter sensors to gather crash data and tailor the car's restraint systems to the occupants. Seatbelt usage and seat position are taken into account to ensure airbags deploy with less pressure for smaller drivers, more for larger drivers.

The 2013 Fusion twins also received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ designation. Read the official press release below.

Continue reading Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid nab five-star ratings from NHTSA

Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid nab five-star ratings from NHTSA originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford fusioncrash testfive star ratingfordfusionfusion safetyIIHSnhtsasafetytop safety pickThu, 24 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20436550/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/24/ford-fusion-and-fusion-hybrid-nab-five-star-ratings-from-nhtsa/20436550/article-detail.xml 20436550 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/01a-2013-ford-fusion-fd-1358974588_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/01a-2013-ford-fusion-fd-1358974588.jpg <![CDATA[NHTSA to update 5-star testing process]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/29/nhtsa-to-update-5-star-testing-process/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/29/nhtsa-to-update-5-star-testing-process/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/29/nhtsa-to-update-5-star-testing-process/#commentsFiled under: ,

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Crash Testing - Click above for high-res image gallery

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is set to debut a new testing procedure for the 2011 model year that will make it more difficult for new cars and trucks to earn the government agency's coveted five-star safety rating. Just as interestingly, the recent influx of electronic safety gadgets, such as lane departure and collision warning, will be included in the testing regiment as well.

NHTSA will calculate one simple-to-understand grade for each vehicle based on how it manages to perform throughout the agency's testing. While the revised parameters promise to make safety-minded comparison shopping between new automobiles a bit easier, it also means that pre-2011 ratings will not be directly comparable to the new ones.

A total of 55 new 2011 cars, trucks and minivans (including the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze seen above undergoing GM's internal safety testing) will be tested by NHTSA with the new procedures, and the list is made up of both brand new models and some of the more popular nameplates Americans seem most likely to purchase in large numbers next year. You can check out NHTSA's official release and the initial list of what cars will be subjected to this new testing regime after the jump.


Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Crash Testing


[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Continue reading NHTSA to update 5-star testing process

NHTSA to update 5-star testing process originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 crash test2011 crash testing2011CrashTest2011CrashTestingcrash testcrash test changescrash test procedurescrash test regulationscrash testingcrash testsCrashTestCrashTestChangesCrashTestingCrashTestProceduresCrashTestRegulationsCrashTestsfive starfive star ratingfive star safetyfive starsFiveStarFiveStarRatingFiveStarsFiveStarSafetyNational Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministrationnhtsaThu, 29 Jul 2010 14:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19573529/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/29/nhtsa-to-update-5-star-testing-process/19573529/article-detail.xml 19573529 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/lead1cruzesafetystory_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/lead1cruzesafetystory.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Obama Administration looking to augment NHTSA investigative team]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/04/report-obama-administration-looking-to-augment-nhtsa-investigat/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/04/report-obama-administration-looking-to-augment-nhtsa-investigat/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/04/report-obama-administration-looking-to-augment-nhtsa-investigat/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration appears to be busier than ever. Beyond the federal agency's upcoming visit to Congress to explain its actions leading up to the Toyota recalls, it also needs to prepare for 2011 changes to its New Car Assessment Program Five-Star Safety Rating System.

The Detroit News is reporting that a spot of help may be on the way, as President Obama's 2011 budget includes a $4 million budget increase earmarked for 66 new NHTSA employees. Of the proposed 66 new employees, eight would reportedly work on auto recall and safety investigations. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says another $12 million of the $800 million NHTSA budget would go towards beefing up the department's Five Star Rating program, which, oddly enough, goes into the effect for the 2011 model year.

In other, somewhat auto-related 2011 budget news, the proposed Energy Department budget jumps to $325 million, up from $312 million in 2010. The recommended hydrogen fuel cell budget will reportedly drop from $183 million to $137 million, and more of that money will be focused on plug-in electric and battery tech.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Report: Obama Administration looking to augment NHTSA investigative team originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>five star ratingFiveStarRatingnational highway traffic safety administrationNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministrationnhtsanhtsa budgetNhtsaBudgetobama administrationObamaAdministrationray lahoodRayLahoodThu, 04 Feb 2010 18:40:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19341707/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/02/04/report-obama-administration-looking-to-augment-nhtsa-investigat/19341707/article-detail.xml 19341707 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/nhtsa_logo-stars-250_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/nhtsa_logo-stars-250.jpg <![CDATA[2009 Dodge Ram earns 5 stars for crash safety]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/09/2009-dodge-ram-earns-5-stars-for-crash-safety/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/09/2009-dodge-ram-earns-5-stars-for-crash-safety/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/09/2009-dodge-ram-earns-5-stars-for-crash-safety/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2009 Dodge Ram

The 2009 Dodge Ram was all aces in the latest round of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash testing, with the big D-wagon achieving five stars in both driver and passenger front crash ratings. The Dodge Ram follows the 2009 F-150 and Chevy Silverado as the only pickup trucks to score five stars for both the driver and passenger in a front end crash.

NHTSA determines crash-worthiness by driving cars and trucks into an immovable wall at 35 mph. A five star rating means that there's a 10% or less chance of serious injury. Our favorite part of any new crash test score is the accompanying video footage, and you can view Ram vs. Wall after the jump. The wall wins, but the Ram puts up a five-star fight.

Gallery: 2009 Dodge Ram


[Source: Pickuptrucks]

Continue reading 2009 Dodge Ram earns 5 stars for crash safety

2009 Dodge Ram earns 5 stars for crash safety originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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