Skip navigation
MOST POPULAR RELATED TAGS
  • TOPICS
  • SECTORS
  • COMPANIES
 
 
Behind the Wheel Video Gallery
Nissan is unveiling its electric car, with Carlos Ghosn, Nissan CEO and CNBC's Phil LeBeau.
The Indian auto market is very hot, not simply due to stimulus provided by the government. Anand Mahindra, vice-chairman...
LEBEAU'S AUTO INDEX
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

BEHIND THE WHEEL VIDEO

» More

Current DateTime: 06:48:52 15 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 30830730
Expiration DateTime: 11/15/2009 6:51:30 AM

RSS FEED

» Help

Current DateTime: 06:48:53 15 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 30830722
powered by digg

Behind The Wheel

Text Size
Apr.10
11:31 AM ET
Thursday, 10 Apr 2008
Mid-Size Sedan Safety Performance: Do You Really Care?

2009 Nissan Maxima

Figuring out how crash tests impact consumers is a tricky thing. Yes, if we see a model perform horribly, we'll talk about it and that model will likely see weaker sales.

But when models improve, do we notice? What if they only rate as adequate? Does it change how we view certain models? I'm not so sure.

I ask that because the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released its latest findings on crash tests for new '08 mid-size sedans. Given that these are models in the heart of the mass market, you would think the public would be paying close attention.

But in this case, I think the mixed message will get a collective yawn. The good news is that the group (Malibu, Avenger, G35, Optima, etc) did well in front and side impact crashes. Unfortunately, the segment did not do as well on rear impact crashes. So how do you read this? How much do you care?

I know that some of you will read that last sentence and say to yourself, "Well, of course we care about safety, moron." Yet, when I talk with people or get e-mails from some of you, I rarely hear safety mentioned as one of the main criteria for selecting a car.

Typically mileage, price, style all come across as more important. The one exception seems to be with parents of kids, who will ask me how the safety ratings of different models compare.

Which brings me back to the mid-size sedan crash tests. The fact that some of these models did not do well on rear impact crashes should be a reason for concern. But I remain skeptical that I will hear anyone tell me, "that model was only rated as adequate in protecting me if I get rear-ended."

Questions?  Comments? 

© 2009 CNBC, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Tools:
PrintEmailAdd This share icon
Next Post
  • digg share
ADD COMMENTS
Remaining characters


Current DateTime: 01:03:48 15 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 29778428

Current DateTime: 01:02:04 15 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 29779196

Current DateTime: 01:02:04 15 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 29779199

Current DateTime: 01:02:04 15 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 29779198
  Data is a real-time snapshot  *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes
Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis

© 2009 CNBC, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.
A Division of NBC Universal
Thomson ReutersThomson Reuters