Big risk seen in smaller autos

[Ovaltine]

JUST to prove that I'm not a "Kool-Aid Drinker", here's an interesting article from today's DetNews.

 

It's apparent that Hyundai/KIA better locate some boron steel for their small cars if they want to improve their smallest car's IIHS scores.

 

 

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic.../612190407/1148

 

Big risk seen in smaller autos

 

Tiny vehicles fare poorly in side, front crash tests; death rate higher in single-car crashes.

 

"Hyundai's low rating for Accent/Kia Rio -- the lowest of the group -- contrasted with recent safety honors from the insurance institute. Hyundai spokesman Miles Johnson said the company is adding active front head restraints in July, which should improve its rating and noted it has standard air bags, unlike many competitors."

 

When you look at the actual IIHS scores broken out, there are actually alot of "Good" ratings. But about a quarter of the individual ratings are "Poor", which must be enough to rate them an overall "Poor".

 

The new Nissan Versa does very well however. It looks like Nissan wins one THIS round. Read the article at the link above.

 

-Ovaltine

Edited December 20, 2006 by Ovaltine

[156n3rd]

This kind of journalism brings back the days when "Unsafe At Any Speed" was published. You know, the book that called the Corvair a death trap because of the poorly designed rear suspension. That may not necessarily be relative to this story, but you still take chances whenever you drive any type of vehicle. You take your chances driving to the store, to work or to church. It doesn't matter what you drive. Yes, larger vehicles afford more material around you for protection, but with the oil buisness still needing to take as much money from you as possible, smaller vehicle choices are a must. That doesn't mean they can't be well built as some are. Hyundai and Kia are still entry-level brands that some people need to buy because they can't afford any other kind of new car. That, plus the fact the the Unites States has the worst public transit on the planet. Europe and many other places beat us long ago. We need to drive. So, smaller vehicles are necessary for alternate mobility on the road. My daughter was recently involved in a nasty accident driving our old '92 Taurus wagon. She was hit broadside/passenger side by a Chevy Venture with such ferocity that the car was propelled across the road into a ditch. The bags deployed and she was bounced around the front seat. She emerged scared but not seriously hurt. She intends to replace the old Taurus with another because she feels safe in one. Okay, I'm rambling, but smaller cars are driven world wide with the usual traffic fatalities. Here in America, driving has evolved into a high speed hands-on video game. Use a phone, slap your kid, read something or apply make-up as long as you can do 80 with no hands, who cars what the hell you're in?

[pcsario]

Wow, seems the Versa is a great all around B car.

[jpd80]

As with any report card, Hyundai will reacting by implimenting changes to improve its rating. No doubt they will announce upgrades in the near future.