NEW
CRASH TEST RESULTS:
MORE
'03 VEHICLE RATINGS AVAILABLE FROM NHTSA
The
U.S. Department of Transportations National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) recently posted its second batch of model year 2003 NCAP crash test results
on the agency's World Wide Web site: http://www.nhtsa.gov/NCAP/.
New
model year 2003 ratings released for the frontal impact are the Ford Crown Victoria
four-door, Honda Accord four-door, Hyundai Accent four-door, Jaguar X-Type four-door,
Mazda 6 four-door, Mercedes C Class four-door, Mercedes E Class four-door, Saturn
Ion four-door, Subaru Forester wagon and the Toyota Avalon four-door.
New
2003 ratings released for the side impact are the Ford Crown Victoria
four-door, Hyundai Accent four-door (early release), Jaguar X-Type four-door,
Kia Rio four-door, Lincoln Town Car four-door, Mercedes E Class four-door and
the Subaru Forester wagon.
In
accordance with NHTSA policy to note safety concerns that are not reflected in
the star rating, the newest release highlights a safety concern in one vehicle
tested — the Hyundai Accent registered a head score during the side impact test
that indicated an increased likelihood of serious head injury for the vehicle's rear seat
passenger.
A
fact sheet containing explanatory information and tables showing NCAP crash tests
results for recently released model year 2003 vehicles is available by calling
NHTSA Communications and Consumer Information, (202) 366-9550; the Auto Safety Hotline,
(888) 327-4236; or by writing to NHTSA Media Relations, Room 5232, 400 Seventh
St., S.W., Washington, DC. 20590. Crash test information is available at NHTSAs
web site by clicking on "Crash Tests" under "Popular Information"
in the index on the left side of the screen.