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Latest IIHS safety data



 
The latest IIHS safety data has been released.  IIHS stands for the 
Insurance Institue for Highway safety, and rates the safety of cars based on 
federal statistics for amt of deaths per 10,000 vehicles.  This survey 
was carried out during the period (1989-93)

The governing body concluded that "airbags make a difference," but there 
is a problem with small cars.  Among the 10 vehicles with the highest 
driver death rates, nine were small cars and one was midsize.  All 10 
with the lowest driver death rates were either large or midsize cars.

Top Ten list with the lowest death rates per 10,000 vehicles:
All the cars (1989-93) with the top 10 rating comes with at least a 
driver-side airbag except for one.

1) Volvo 240 (no surprise, it has won for many years now.)
2) Saab 9000.  (Another Swedish machine)
3) Mercedes Benz 190
4) Volkswagen Passat. (Only one without airbags) YES!
5) Lexus ES 300
6) Lexus LS 400
7) Honda Accord station wagon
8) Jeep Grand Cherokee 4X4 utility Vehicle
9) Dodge Caravan passenger van
10) Plymouth Voyager passenger van.  (Champagne's on me, Lloyd)

Bottom 10:  Only the 2 "sports" cars in the 10 worst list came with airbags

Highest death rates:

1) Geo Tracker
2) Chevrolet Corvette (must be those leaf-springs :-)
3) Isuzu Amigo Utility
4) Hyundai Scoupe
5) Ford Mustang
6) Ford Festiva
7) Pontiac Lemans
8) Geo Metro
9) Ford Escort
10) Chevrolet S10 pickup truck.

Ryan




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