2011 Vehicles Will See Fewer Safety "Stars"

For the 2011 model year, the U.S. Government's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is revising the government’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).. which is also commonly referred to as “Stars on Cars.”
 
NHTSA has not yet shared “launch” specifics or a campaign launch date, but we do know that NHTSA is changing the way cars are tested and how Monroney labels will list those results.  NHTSA is "raising the bar" with a new rating program that will result in some vehicles getting a lower rating.  The new scores are the result of new test methods, not because our new vehicles are less safe.  In fact, today's vehicles do better than ever in safety tests.   

The new protocol will likely introduce an overall vehicle safety score in addition to the separate frontal, side, and rollover ratings.

There is a precedent in the past, when the E.P.A. instituted a new rationale resulting in lower MPG ratings on new vehicles.  During the transition, dealers were displaying vehicles rated under the old system alongside vehicles tested under the new system.  It will once again be important that customers understand that they must not compare test results among vehicles tested under the different programs.

We'll keep you updated on NHTSA's rollout of the new system and its impact on our business.


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