| How safe is your car? Is it above average? Do | | | | News reported: "Drivers who ride high in a |
| you have any idea how well it can withstand | | | | vehicle, for example, report feeling safer |
| collision? The answers to these queries are | | | | because they can see out over traffic. Yet a |
| very important not just to car occupants but | | | | vehicle with a high center of gravity is more |
| to automakers as well. Experts say showing | | | | likely to roll. Large and heavy cars cocoon |
| consumers how a particular car performs in | | | | passengers in copious steel, protecting them |
| times of collision is an effective sales | | | | in the event of a collision. Yet large and |
| tactic. | | | | heavy vehicles are more likely to lose |
| | | | traction. They're more likely to be involved |
| At the much-concluded New York Auto Show held | | | | in an accident in the first place." |
| last week, one of the most controversial | | | | |
| displays was a crumpled Ford Taurus. The | | | | But misconceptions are slowly jettisoning |
| display was the Dearborn automaker's effort | | | | consumers' mind. Last year, Volkswagen AG ran |
| to show visitors how durable Ford parts are | | | | the "Safe Happens" campaign to promote the |
| and how well Taurus withstands a collision. | | | | Jetta and the Passat. The campaign |
| | | | effectively tickled consumer interest in VW. |
| Ford Motor Co.'s display created an ambiance | | | | |
| that made consumers think more about their | | | | SmartCar, moreover, used videos of the crash |
| car safety especially in a crash. For some | | | | tests on the Internet even before the ForTwo |
| buffs, the automaker's introduction of its | | | | was offered for sale in America. At the |
| innovative safety features is treated as a | | | | automaker's press events, crumpled, rolled |
| breath of fresh air. | | | | and battered vehicles were displayed. The |
| | | | move has pulled consumers closer to SmartCar. |
| Historically, automakers avoid any suggestion | | | | |
| that vehicles actually collide and occupants | | | | Big names in auto safety such as Volvo Cars |
| could die in their cars. However, safety | | | | have also introduced features that provide |
| inside cars has become a hot issue in the | | | | protection to occupants in collisions. |
| past decades. This is why, at present, | | | | Features include crumple zones, seat belts, |
| automakers are finding ways to offer the most | | | | airbags, side impact protection, strong |
| effective auto features to ensure safety of | | | | occupant compartment, and head rests. What's |
| car occupants. | | | | more, car features that help avoid crashing |
| | | | such as electronic stability control (ESC), |
| Car safety has always been difficult to | | | | antilock braking systems (ABS), intelligent |
| explain. It is also difficult to sell. And | | | | speed adaptation (ISA), traction control, and |
| automakers have allowed unspoken white lies | | | | active braking systems were also installed in |
| about safety to promote their cars. Wired | | | | vehicles. |