NHTSA Plans to Crash Test 77 Models Next Year

September 28, 2006
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration plans to wreck 77 vehicles next year. It's all in the name of safety, though. The 41 cars, 21 SUVs 5 vans and 10 pickups will be subjected to front and side crash tests.

When the tests are completed by the spring of 2006, consumers will have access to frontal crash test ratings for about 83 percent of all 2006 offerings and side impact safety information for about 69 percent.

The agency also will provide rollover ratings for 18 passenger cars, 25 sport utility vehicles, four vans and nine pickups. Together with vehicles already tested, NHTSA will provide rollover safety information for approximately 81 percent of the model year 2006 U.S. passenger vehicle fleet.

"Consumers in the market for a new or used vehicle will have access to the latest in safety ratings," said Jacqueline Glassman, Acting Administrator for NHTSA. "The agencys crash test program is a great source of impartial safety information".

NHTSA uses a ratings system of from one to five stars for vehicle-to-vehicle comparisons.

For consumers shopping for a used vehicle, safety ratings for previous model years also are available. A complete listing, as well as additional information on the government safety ratings program, is available at the web site at www.safercar.gov or by calling NHTSA's toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline, (888) 327-4236.

The list of vehicles to be rated in 2006 follows.