NHTSA: 'Stars on Cars' Program Overhaul Provides More Consumer Information; New Rules for Safety Score Comparisons

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5;Prompted by advancements in auto safety, the federal government is increasing the amount of safety information it's providing to consumers and "raising the bar" on how it tests new vehicles by making the "Stars on Cars" safety rating program even more stringent.  This will begin with Model Year (MY) 2011 automobiles.

The government's 5-star Safety Rating System's more-challenging tests mean that the government's star ratings on new auto labels may go down from MY 2010 to MY 2011 – even in cases where there has been no significant changes to a vehicle.  The new tests also mean consumers won't be able to compare the scores of MY 2010 and earlier vehicles to those of MY 2011 vehicles.  As in the past, when comparing MY 2011 vehicles with one another shoppers should take into account vehicle class and vehicle weight.

Automakers have launched a website to help explain the changes:  www.newstarsoncars.com.  The site is also optimized for access by "Smartphone" so consumers can refer back to the information while on the sales floor.

Results of the new tests and other important program material will also be available on the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's Web site:  www.safercar.gov.

Consumers will immediately notice that many MY 2011 vehicles will be labeled as "not rated" or "to be rated."  This is because it takes time to put such a wide range of products through new, rigorous test procedures.

For now, the labels shown on new autos will look the same as they have for years.  However, new test processes will influence how the star ratings are awarded, so there's now "more behind each star."

Here are some of the program changes meant to help consumers have the most safety information when looking at MY 2011 auto labels:

• Frontal crash tests now use crash dummies simulating a wider range of driver and passenger body types and weights.  There'll also be more measurements of crash impact data – to give researchers even more information on overall injury risks.  For consumers to properly compare vehicle scores for this test, consumers will need to be sure they're comparing the scores of autos in the same class and with vehicle weights within 250 lbs of one another.  
• Side crash tests now include a test simulating a vehicle crashing sideways into a tree, or similar narrow object – like a utility pole.  Doing well on this test demands a vehicle have strong side structures and side airbags.  

When looking at the government's Safercar.gov website consumers will also benefit from more information:

• An overall vehicle score will be a summary rating of how a vehicle performs in all of the NCAP tests.  Because this score includes the frontal test ratings, the overall score of a vehicle can only be compared to other vehicles in the same class and with weights within 250 lbs of one another.
• The site will now highlight three crash-avoidance technologies developed and implemented by automakers that NHTSA considers especially effective in helping to prevent crashes:  Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), and Lane Departure Warning (LDW).

"We're at a point in time when we're seeing record-setting safety levels when it comes to auto travel," said Alliance President and CEO Dave McCurdy.  "Fatality and injury rates are at their lowest point in history, which is remarkable given that during the last 50 years the number of licensed drivers has more than doubled and annual vehicle miles traveled have more than quadrupled.

"These safety figures are partly because of the innovation and technology automakers have brought to new vehicles," added McCurdy.  "The new 'Stars on Cars' rating system will now reflect our advancements even better.  But, since the tests are getting more challenging, many ratings may go down at first – even when a model hasn't changed."

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a trade association of 12 car and light truck manufacturers including BMW Group, Chrysler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.