Ford Announces Aftermarket-OEM Crash Test Results at CIC
The ongoing aftermarket-OEM parts debate continued at the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) held Nov. 3 at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, with Ford Motor Company concluding as the result of crash tests it conducted that using aftermarket bumpers can negatively impact airbag deployment. Ford was prompted to conduct the crash tests as the
New Study Says Texting Bans Don’t Reduce Crashes
A new study by researchers at the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) finds no reduction in crashes after laws banning texting while driving take effect. In fact, such bans are associated with a slight increase in the frequency of insurance claims filed under collision coverage for damage to vehicles in crashes. This finding is based
Most 2010 Vehicles to Have Standard Side Airbags
Though often optional in past model years, most automakers will make side airbags standard on 2010 vehicles, which are rolling into dealerships this month. As part of an agreement made in 2003, models from GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia, Mazda, Daimler AG, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, BMW and Volkswagen will feature standard
Research Shows Cost of ‘Microcar’ Bumper Repair Anything But Small
Low-cost, fuel-efficient “microcars” like the Honda Fit and Chevy Aveo are gaining popularity among consumers, but if those consumers end up in a collision, they may not be happy with their repair bills. Research by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows that repairs to microcars after a low-speed crash can cost anywhere from
Small Cars Make Big Safety Improvements for 2009
Thanks to improvements like standard side airbags, small cars are becoming better equipped to protect motorists in serious crashes, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which has released its 2009 Top Safety Picks. “Automakers have made big improvements to small cars to better protect people in frontal crashes,” said Joe Nolan, IIHS
Animal-Vehicle Crashes Increasing, Says Study
The overall number of animal-vehicle crashes is on the rise, says a new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The report says that State Farm has estimated 1.2 million claims industrywide for crashes with animals over a 12-month period ending June 30 of this year. State Farm says that claims for those
Many Economy Cars Not Economical to Repair
In a recent series of crash tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) assessed how well the bumpers of 20 small car models would protect the vehicles from damage in low-speed collisions. The worst performers are the Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Prius and Volkswagen Rabbit, each sustaining about $4,000 damage or more in a single