Child restraint manufacturers continue to roll out new booster seats that do a good job of improving the way an adult safety belt fits a typical booster-age child. This year, 19 of 31 new models evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety earn the top rating of BEST BET, and one model is a GOOD BET.
The Institute began rating boosters five years ago because research indicated that most seats weren’t doing a good job of fitting safety belts correctly and consistently on children in a variety of vehicles. Boosters earn a rating of BEST BET, GOOD BET, Check Fit or Not Recommended, based on a protocol that involves measuring how three-point lap and shoulder belts fit a child-size test dummy seated in the booster on a stationary test fixture under four conditions that span the range of safety belt configurations in passenger vehicles. The evaluations focus on safety belt fit and don’t involve crash tests.
When IIHS began its booster seat ratings in 2008, most models failed to consistently provide good belt fit — the main purpose of a booster. This year, all new models evaluated by the Institute provide good or acceptable fit for typical 4 to 8 year-olds in most cars, minivans or SUVs.
Out of 23 new models evaluated, 20 earn the highest rating of BEST BET, meaning they are likely to provide good fit for a 4- to 8-year-old child in almost any car, minivan or SUV. Another three models are rated GOOD BETs, meaning they provide acceptable fit in most vehicles. There are no new models in the Not Recommended category, nor are there any with the Check Fit designation, which identifies seats that may work for some children in some vehicles.
Bumpers are the first line of defense against costly damage in everyday low-speed crashes. Bumpers on cars are designed to match up with each other in collisions, but a long-standing gap in federal regulations exempts SUVs from the same rules. New Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests demonstrate the results: SUV bumpers that don’t line up with those on cars can lead to huge repair bills in what should be minor collisions in stop-and-go traffic.
Only 1 minicar out of 11 tested achieves an acceptable rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's small overlap front crash test, making these tiny vehicles the worst performing group of any evaluated so far.
The Chevrolet Spark's acceptable rating in the test, along with good ratings in the Institute's four other crashworthiness evaluations, earns the new minicar a 2014 TOP SAFETY PICK award. The Spark was among the initial award winners announced in December. The new small overlap test results for the rest of the minicar group mean that no other models in this size category join the Spark in the winner's circle yet.
A new crash test program from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety aims to ensure that manufacturers pay attention to the safety of front passengers as well as drivers.
The test was developed after it became clear that some manufacturers were giving short shrift to the right side of the vehicle when it comes to small overlap front crash protection. A good or acceptable passenger-side rating will be required to qualify for the Institute’s 2018 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award.
The first test group in the passenger-side small overlap front test program did better overall than vehicles IIHS previously evaluated for research. Ten out of 13 midsize cars tested earn a good rating, while one is acceptable and two earn a marginal rating.
In contrast with a group of 2014-16 model small SUVs tested for research, none of the 2017-18 midsize cars had a poor or marginal structural rating. Instead, the biggest problem in the new group was inconsistent airbag protection in five cars, which would put passengers’ heads at risk.
Michelin announced today it will expand the market footprint for its airless skid steer tires with the launch of two new versions of the award-winning MICHELIN® X® TWEEL® SSL airless radial tire: a 12N16.5 X® TWEEL® SSL All Terrain for a wide range of surfaces and a12N16.5 X® TWEEL® SSL Hard Surface for pavement use.
The development of Michelin’s Tweel technology is significant, since skid steer loaders equipped with traditional pneumatic tires, experience at least two or more flat tires per month. Desperate to find a solution to reduce flat-tire downtime, many users resort to using foam-filled, solid tires or other alternatives that result in diminished traction, handling and ride comfort. The 12N16.5 X TWEEL SSL provides the advantages of no air pressure maintenance, easy mounting, damage resistance, increased operator comfort, reduced operator fatigue, improved productivity and longer wear life than pneumatic tires.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7347551-new-michelin-x-tweel-ssl-airless-skid-steer-radial-tires/
Micah Muzio, managing editor for Kelley Blue Book, offers sneak peak at auto industry’s most coveted event.
“Every year we invite some of the biggest names in the aftermarket tuning community to build some of the most exciting vehicles at SEMA,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “We wanted this year’s builders to develop performance and luxury in tandem, and from what you see from our lineup of vehicles, they have exceeded our goals on every measure.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7278251-sema-show-2014-kbb-toyo-tires-hyundai-lexus-kia/
Spring is around the corner, and it won’t be long before it’s prom and graduation seasons for many high schoolers. Rites of passage for many, these are times for teens to celebrate, but can also be times of poor decision-making, especially when vehicles are involved. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 2,524 teen drivers and passengers were killed and 177,000 were injured in 2013. Twenty-seven percent of these fatalities occurred between April and June, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
“The statistics are staggering, especially when you consider that most of these accidents and fatalities are preventable,” said Randy Petro, Mercury Insurance’s chief claims officer. “We don’t want any families to suffer through the loss of a child, so Mercury is taking action with the launch of the ‘Mercury Insurance Drive Safe Challenge.’”
The Mercury Insurance Drive Safe Challenge kicked off with a free defensive driving program, which included hands-on driving skills training and classroom material. An interactive website provides teens with detailed instruction, as well as gives parents the tools to shape responsible driving behavior.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7772251-mercury-teen-drive-safe-challenge/
The Mercedes-Benz Star Fund, the automaker's largest start-up amount for a charity fund worldwide outside Germany, today commemorated its first anniversary. Distinguished by its past year achievements in the five core areas of environmental protection, education, music, arts and sports, culture of driving and social care, the Mercedes-Benz Star Fund announced another boost to its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts by launching the new ‘Star Ambassador’ Volunteer Program. This is also its latest initiative to enhance its CSR program in China through encouraging greater participation and providing a more sustained and strategic development of its social contribution efforts.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/mercedesbenz/50793/
At the 2014 New York Auto Show, the S63 AMG 4MATIC Coupe makes its world debut. The new S63 AMG 4MATIC Coupe is the latest dream car to augment the Mercedes-AMG model range. Exciting lines underpin this two-door model's design. Power and sensual purity combine to give the vehicle irresistible presence and breathtaking performance. Equally impressive is the combination of outstanding driving dynamics, advanced lightweight construction and groundbreaking efficiency. The AMG 5.5-liter V8 biturbo engine is a paragon of poise and assur-ance. Boasting an output of 577 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, the S63 AMG Coupe delivers exceptional performance with remarkably low fuel consumption. In addition, AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive (33/67% split) will come standard in the U.S. market for optimum traction in any driving situation.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/7112052-mercedes-benz-usa-s63-amg-4matic-coupe-luxury-car
