Automakers Achieve 100% Crash Compatibility with Voluntary Agreement

Automakers have successfully implemented a voluntary agreement under which new cars and light trucks are engineered to be more compatible in front- and side-impact crashes. This agreement, launched in 2003, has led to a rapid increase in the percentage of vehicles with compatibility engineering, with 100% of participating manufacturers' applicable vehicles meeting the performance criteria as of September 1, 2009. The agreement, which involves major automakers such as BMW, Chrysler, Ford, and Toyota, has been supported by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) field studies, which have shown a significant reduction in fatality rates among belted car drivers and car occupants in frontal and side crashes.

Key Takeaways:

By the end of 2003, 100% of participating manufacturers' applicable vehicles had been engineered to meet the performance criteria of the agreement, indicating a swift implementation of the design changes.
The agreement has led to a 19% reduction in fatality rates among belted car drivers in frontal crashes with 2000-03 model light trucks and a 19% reduction in car driver fatality rates when cars are struck in the side by light trucks meeting the criteria.
The rollover design improvements have also led to a significant reduction in fatality risk among drivers in rollover crashes, with a 37% reduction in fatality risk among drivers in rollover crashes involving vehicles equipped with the new design features.
The agreement was developed with input from the IIHS and has been praised by experts as a model for responsible action to improve occupant safety.
The automakers have reported the agreement's success to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and have welcomed opportunities to participate in voluntary programs that can deliver results more quickly than the traditional route of legislation and rulemaking.
Consumers will benefit most from the compatibility commitment through the use of their safety belts.

Statistics:

19% reduction in fatality rate among belted car drivers in frontal crashes with 2000-03 model light trucks
19% reduction in car driver fatality rates when cars are struck in the side by light trucks meeting the criteria
37% reduction in fatality risk among drivers in rollover crashes involving vehicles equipped with the new design features
100% of participating manufacturers' applicable vehicles had been engineered to meet the performance criteria by the end of 2009
40% of all passenger cars and light trucks sold annually in the United States are accounted for by AIAM member companies
36% of U.S. light vehicle production is accounted for by AIAM member companies

Sources:

Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) voluntary agreement, 2003
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) field studies
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, AIAM, and IIHS press releases and statements.