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Behind the one-star and five-star ratings: How do vehicle safety ratings affect your choice?
When choosing a new car, consumers face many considerations, and safety is often the most critical one. Car safety test ratings, such as one to five stars, can significantly influence consumer choices and car manufacturers' market responses. These tests are not only about crash safety, they can also be about life. This article will explore the diversity, impact, and value behind vehicle safety testing.
"Behind every crash test is a profound commitment to life."
Types of Crash Tests
Vehicle safety assessment involves a variety of testing methods, and each crash test has its own specific goals. In the United States and elsewhere, the main types of testing include:
- Frontal impact test: Typically a vehicle is struck at a predetermined speed against a solid concrete wall or another vehicle to simulate a head-on accident.
- Partial overlap test: In this test, only a portion of the front of the vehicle strikes an obstacle, simulating, for example, oncoming traffic.
- Small Overlap Test: This is the most challenging test where a small portion of the vehicle's structure strikes an object such as a pole or tree.
- Side impact test: This test simulates a side impact, where safety is more important due to the limited protection provided by the sides of the vehicle.
- Rollover test: Tests whether the vehicle can effectively support its roof in the event of a dynamic collapse.
"Different types of tests can show how a vehicle performs in various crisis scenarios, allowing consumers to get a more comprehensive assessment."
Major test providers
There are several organizations around the world that specialize in vehicle safety testing, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States, the All-German Automobile Club (ADAC) in Germany, and the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP). These organizations conduct tests based on strict scientific and safety standards to assess the safety of vehicle designs.
Since the cost of each test is not small, being able to extract the most data from it will be the primary goal of the testing agency. This includes the use of high-speed data acquisition systems, three-axis accelerometers and crash test dummies to analyse crash situations.
“Even the safety performance of the dummy can reflect the risk of accidents faced by humans in real situations.”
Market Response and Consumer Influence
A vehicle's crash rating often has a direct impact on its sales performance. For example, in 1998 the Rover 100 received just one star for adult occupants in Euro NCAP, sales quickly collapsed as a result and the designs of the period were quickly phased out. In 2005, Daewoo Kalos' two-star rating caused negative reactions in Europe and Australia, causing its market share to decline. These cases clearly show the direct impact of crash assessment.
In addition, a car model's inherent safety rating may also be the key to a brand's credibility. For example, the second-generation Isuzu Trooper was rated "unacceptable" due to its tendency to roll over, resulting in its sales never recovering.
"A car's safety rating not only affects current sales, but also shapes the brand's image in the minds of consumers."
Vehicle safety testing procedures
There are many vehicle safety testing programs around the world dedicated to providing consumers with comparable information, including NHTSA NCAP and the Insurance Industry Institute (IIHS) in the United States. Their goal is the same: to provide consumers with important data about the safety performance of new and used vehicles to help them make informed choices.
For example, Euro NCAP introduced the Moveable Progressive Deforming Barrier (MPDB) test to further improve the accuracy of crash tests. These advances represent the evolution of crash safety engineering, allowing consumers to select safer vehicles from more reliable data.
Summary"Technological advances have enabled us to more accurately assess vehicle safety, benefiting consumers."
Vehicle safety rating is undoubtedly an important factor affecting consumer choices. From the design of collision tests to the calculation of costs, every step is closely related to the safety of consumers. In the future, how will your car selection criteria change?
