In a new round of evaluations, 5 of 7 small SUVs earn good ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for occupant protection in a passenger-side small overlap front crash.
The ratings bring to 16 the number of small SUVs the Institute has evaluated in the passenger-side small overlap front test, which was introduced in 2017 to encourage manufacturers to offer the same level of protection for front-seat passengers as drivers in this type of crash.
The BMW X1; Chevrolet Equinox and its twin, the GMC Terrain; Jeep Compass and Mitsubishi Outlander earn good ratings in the passenger-side small overlap front test. The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport earns a marginal rating, and the Ford Escape earns poor. For the 2018 model year, the Equinox shed weight to join the small SUV size class. Earlier models were classified as midsize.
None of the newly rated 2018 models earns better than acceptable marks for structure. (The Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 are the only small SUVs evaluated so far to earn good ratings for structure in the passenger-side small overlap front test.) The Outlander Sport is marginal, and the Escape is rated poor. Both the Outlander Sport and Escape allowed too much intrusion into the occupant compartment on the right side.
Parking crashes usually don’t result in serious injuries, but repair costs can quickly mount, along with the hassle of going without the family vehicle while waiting for the body shop to finish work. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has launched a rear crash prevention ratings program to help consumers identify models with the technology that can prevent or mitigate low-speed backing crashes. Two systems earn the highest rating of superior, and four earn the second-highest rating of advanced.
Rear crash prevention encompasses several technologies. Parking sensors issue warning beeps and/or seat vibrations when the equipped vehicle gets too close to another vehicle or object directly behind it, or, in some cases, in front of it. Rear cross-traffic alert warns drivers of approaching vehicles that might cross their path as they back up. Rear automatic emergency braking systems detect objects behind a reversing vehicle and may automatically brake if the driver doesn’t heed alerts to stop.
IIHS engineers evaluated rear autobrake systems on six popular 2017 model vehicles — the BMW 5 series sedan, Cadillac XT5 SUV, Infiniti QX60 SUV, Jeep Cherokee SUV, Subaru Outback wagon and Toyota Prius hatchback.
Under the three-tier rating scheme, models with optional or standard rear crash prevention systems are rated superior, advanced or basic. Ratings are determined by whether the vehicles have available rear autobrake and, if so, how it performs in a series of car-to-car and car-to-pole tests with different approach angles. The availability of parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert also is factored in.
The Outback and XT5 earn a superior rating when equipped with optional rear autobrake, parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert. The Cherokee, 5 series, QX60 and Prius earn an advanced rating with this optional gear.
GAC Motor, China’s fastest-growing automaker, has wowed the Fortune Global Forum 2017 (“the Forum”) as the official service car provider with 380 cars including the GA8 sedan, the GS8 SUV and the GM8 MPV. The vehicles have provided safe and reliable service for leaders of the 152 Fortune 500 companies who attended, in addition to more than 1,100 distinguished guests from around the world. During the Forum, 40 CEOs from Fortune 500 companies including McKinsey & Company, Aisin Seiki (China) Investment Co., Ltd. and iFLYTEK Co., Ltd visited GAC Motor’s factory in Panyu, Guangzhou to get a glimpse of China’s advanced smart manufacturing capability.
“We are proud to have had the chance to display our advanced smart manufacturing capabilities to some of the world’s top corporate leaders,” said Yu Jun, president of GAC Motor. “Being chosen as the official service car provider for the Forum is a recognition of GAC Motor’s accomplishments in openness and innovation; it further enhances our brand’s international influence. After years of development, the Chinese automotive industry is now capable of creating top auto brands, and we hope to build GAC Motor into a world-class Chinese brand.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8241551-gac-motor-fortune-global-forum/
The 2018 Niro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) brings an exciting new dimension to Kia's alternative fuel car line-up. As Kia's third plug-in model, and anticipated in retailer showrooms by the end of this year, the Niro PHEV offers the same crossover utility, fun-driving and winning design of the Niro hybrid, but with an estimated 26-miles of All-Electric Range.1
“The Niro Plug-in is the exciting next step in Kia's progression toward offering more alternative fuel vehicles by 2020,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning, Kia Motors America (KMA). “Consumers who are intrigued by the Niro hybrid's fantastic versatility and design, but want even more EcoDynamics technology and the ability to drive only using electric power, will find more to love in the Niro Plug-in Hybrid.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8016958-kia-niro-plug-in-hybrid-crossover-laas/
Kia Motors America (KMA) today unveiled the refreshed 2019 Sorento SUV at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. Refined, rugged and roomy, the Sorento remains as capable as ever, but touts a number of visual and feature enhancements, inside and out. Aside from new front and rear fascias, which help achieve a more sophisticated appearance, the cabin is now decidedly more upscale and integrates newly-added technology, including Driver Attention Warning,4 Lane Keep Assist1 and QuantumLogic™ Surround Sound. In addition, the Sorento now pairs its available 3.3-liter V6 with a new 8-speed automatic transmission for an even smoother and more seamless driving experience.
“In the highly-competitive crossover category, the Sorento is a clear example of how world-class design and craftsmanship are executed,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning, KMA. “Our popular utility now ups its game even further with enhancements in styling, packaging and content, making it even more attractive to shoppers seeking a premium level 3-row SUV.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8016957-kia-2019-sorento-unveiled-la-auto-show/
Today, Subaru of America, Inc. debuted its all-new, three-row, 2019 Ascent SUV in a way that only Subaru could. At a press event prior to the Los Angeles Auto Show, Subaru surprised attendees with the new vehicle in a special way – with The Barkleys – a family of eight Labrador and Golden Retrievers featured in Subaru advertising campaigns, seemingly driving the all-new Ascent and ending, safe and sound, on-stage. The dogs exited the vehicle to greet Tom Doll, president and COO of Subaru of America and pose for photos with the surprised crowd.
Dogs are a major pillar for the automaker as more than half of Subaru drivers are pet owners, with over 48% of them owning at least one dog. For years, Subaru has supported various pet-focused organizations that help to improve the lives of our four-legged friends and features dogs throughout their advertising. The all-new U.S. built Subaru Ascent is the automaker’s largest vehicle ever built boasting three full rows, fitting up to eight passengers, second row captain’s chairs as an option on some trim levels, its legendary Subaru Symmetrical all-wheel drive and an impressive all-new 2.4-liter turbo engine.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7673254-subaru-2019-ascent-suv-los-angeles-auto-show/
Thirteen out of 16 new booster seats for 2017 earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest rating of BEST BET, bringing the total number of boosters on the market with that designation to 118.
The BEST BET rating means a booster provides good safety belt fit for typical 4 to 8 year-olds in almost any car, minivan or SUV. Boosters that are rated GOOD BETs provide acceptable belt fit in almost any vehicle, while those rated Check Fit could work for some children in some vehicles. Seats designated "Not Recommended" don’t provide good belt fit and should be avoided.
Volvo Cars, the premium carmaker, will bring a new standard of safety and user experience to the small SUV premium segment with the launch of the new Volvo XC40 this autumn.
Developed around the challenges of modern city life, the XC40 aims to make the daily urban commute less stressful and more enjoyable, as drivers in the segment can now rely on the award-winning safety, connectivity and infotainment technologies known from Volvo’s acclaimed new 90- and 60 Series cars.
“The XC40 is our first car in this rapidly growing segment and has a clear focus on navigating today’s hectic city environments. Building on Volvo’s heritage as the leader in safety, the new XC40 will offer the best possible safety standards combined with an easy-to-use interface and convenient connected services,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8170551-volvo-cars-xc40-suv-designed-city-living/
China’s fastest-growing automaker, GAC Motor, has released two new SUVs onto the market, the 5-seat GS7 and the entry SUV GS3 in watertown Wuzhen, Zhejiang Province, China where tradition embraces innovation. These two next-generation SUVs, which have inherited the excellent genes of the GAC Motor family, are poised to bolster the company’s already astounding growth and drive its plans for global expansion.
GAC Motor chose Wuzhen as the place to begin its redefinition of SUVs for young consumers because of the water town’s rich history, its status as a hotbed for high-tech and innovation, and because of its youthful, fashionable and forward-thinking vibes, which is in line with the targeted young consumers of the two new models. Since 2014, Wuzhen has been the home for the World Internet Conference, which attracts prominent internet figures from 120 countries.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8166551-gac-motor-gs7-gs3-launch/
Volvo Cars today declares an end to a problem faced daily by drivers around the globe: a lack of suitable and functional storage space inside their car. With its innovative approach inside the new XC40 small city SUV, set to be launched in the coming weeks, Volvo Cars takes the lead in the small premium SUV segment in terms of space, storage and all-round functionality.
The highly anticipated XC40 from Volvo Cars will complete the company’s SUV line-up that also features the top-of-the-range large XC90 and the mid-sized XC60.
As part of the XC40’s development phase, Volvo Cars’ customer research team spent considerable time investigating how city dwellers around the globe use their car on a daily basis – and, more importantly, how they store their belongings in their cars. Customers were also asked how they would like to see the interiors of their cars improved.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8163951-end-clutter-volvo-cars-XC40-small-SUV/
With dozens of possible exterior and interior colour combinations, the choice of the individual is at the centre with the new colourful Volvo XC40, Volvo Cars’ first ever entry in the small premium SUV segment.
The highly anticipated XC40, set to be revealed shortly, will complete Volvo’s SUV line-up with a distinctive car for a distinctive driver.
The XC40 takes Volvo Cars into new areas and allows its designers the freedom to create a car that brings a vibrancy, individuality and playfulness the small premium SUV segment currently lacks.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8141651-individuality-new-volvo-xc40-small-suv/
Continuing a multi-year string of quality and reliability awards and accolades, J.D. Power’s 2017 Initial Quality Study (IQS) today recognized Kia Motors as the highest-ranking nameplate in the United States for the second year in a row. Kia’s improvement to 72 problems per 100 vehicles marks the best nameplate performance within the last 20 years of the study, driven by five segment awards – the most of any nameplate — for the Soul (Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle), Forte (Compact Car), Cadenza (Large Car), Niro (Small SUV) and Sorento (Midsize SUV). The Kia Soul took home an IQS award for the third consecutive year while Kia’s two newest models, Cadenza and Niro, were outstanding performers in their first model year, with the Kia Cadenza earning the top score among all models ranked in the study. Together with the Optima and Sportage , each of the seven award eligible Kia models included in the 2017 IQS study finished first or second in their respective categories.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8016954-kia-j-d-power-initial-quality-study/
