The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) latest rollover-resistance ratings and crash-test results are now available on the agency’s World Wide Web site: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov. This information is for 2002-model-year vehicles. Rated for rollover resistance are the Acura RSX two-door hatchback, Chevrolet Malibu four-door sedan, Chrysler 300M four-door sedan, Daewoo Nubira four-door sedan, Ford Focus two-door, Ford Thunderbird Convertible, Kia Rio Cino four-door wagon, Lexus ES300 four-door sedan, Toyota Avalon four-door sedan, Toyota Camry four-door sedan, Buick Rendezvous 4x2 four-door utility, Buick Rendezvous 4x4 four-door utility, Chevrolet Blazer 4x2 two-door utility, Chevrolet Blazer 4x4 two-door utility, Ford Explorer Sport 4x2 two-door utility, Ford Explorer Sport 4x4 two-door utility, Hyundai Santa Fe 4x2 four-door utility, Hyundai Santa Fe 4x4 four-door utility, Isuzu Axiom 4x2 four-door utility, Isuzu Axiom 4x4 four-door utility, Toyota Sequoia 4x2 four-door utility, Ford Ranger 4x2 pickup, Ford Ranger 4x4 pickup, Mazda B-Series 4x2 pickup, Mazda B-Series 4x4 pickup, and the Kia Sedona van. Rated for frontal impact are the Ford Focus two-door, Lexus ES300 four-door sedan, Mitsubishi Eclipse two-door, Toyota Avalon four-door sedan, Buick Rendezvous 4x4 four-door utility, Honda CR-V 4x4 four-door utility, Jeep Liberty 4x4 four-door utility, Toyota Sequoia 4x4 four-door utility, Toyota Tundra 4x2 four-door pickup. Rated for side impact are the Audi A4 four-door sedan, Ford Thunderbird Convertible, Nissan Altima four-door sedan, Buick Rendezvous 4x4 four-door utility, Honda CR-V 4x4 four-door utility, Honda CR-V 4x4 four-door utility with side airbags, Isuzu Axiom 4x4 four-door utility, and the Honda Odyssey Van. Beginning with release of the data, NHTSA is specifically noting safety concerns that arise as a result of its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests and that are not reflected in the dummy measurements used to calculate star ratings. NHTSA will identify the vehicles that have such safety concerns. During the side-impact test of the Buick Rendezvous, the driver’s door unlatched and opened. The Rendezvous is equipped with standard automatic door locks, but NHTSA test protocol requires that the doors be unlocked. A General Motors test showed that the door remained closed under similar test conditions when the automatic door locks are activated. A door opening during a side-impact crash increases the likelihood of occupant ejection. The New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) reports rollover-resistance ratings and crash-test re-sults in a range of one to five stars, with five stars showing the best safety protection for vehicles. Frontal tests should be compared only within the same weight class. A fact sheet, containing explanatory information and tables showing NCAP rollover-resistance ratings and crash-tests results for model-year 2002 vehicles, can be obtained by calling the NHTSA Office of Public and Consumer Affairs, (202) 366-9550; the Auto Safety Hotline, (888) 327-4236; or by writing to NHTSA Public Affairs, Room 5232, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590. The rollover-resistance ratings and crash-test information is available at NHTSA’s Web site by clicking on “Crash Tests” under “Popular Information” in the index on the left side of the screen.
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