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2009 Smart fortwo Argues IIHS Crash Results Review

April 2009
Filed under: SMART Car News | SMART Headlines

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You may have heard about a recent crash test that was conducted with our smart fortwo by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) along with two other small cars from other companies that were paired with larger vehicles from the same brand. A Honda Fit was paired with an Accord, and a Toyota Yaris with a Camry. In our case, since smart is a Daimler company, the smart fortwo was paired against a Mercedes C-Class. I would like to share our thoughts with you regarding the test and what it means.

We here at smart USA strongly disagree with this non-standard test that simulates a crash that is rare and extreme. In fact, the severity of the crash test accounts for less than 1% of all accidents of this type. It should also be noted that federal safety regulators do not recognize nor require this type of testing.

This may go without saying because so many of you here on smart USA (insider) already know this to be true, but Ill say it anyway - the smart fortwo is safe. It meets or exceeds all federal government safety standards " this includes the smart fortwo earning a five-star side crash rating (the highest rating possible). It also earned the highest ratings for front and side crashes in the IIHS' barrier test.

Here's another fact most of you already know: all smart fortwo models are equipped with advanced crash avoidance and crash protection safety systems that come as standard on all models, such as:

¢ Electronic Stability Program (esp) - which reduces chances of being in a fatal accident with another vehicle by 20%; or in a fatal single-vehicle accident by 51%, according to the IIHS.
¢ The tridion safety cell - A reinforced steel safety cage that acts very much like a NASCAR roll cage.
¢ Brake Assist (BAS) - Avoiding accidents is often measured in inches, and this technology can be the difference in the reaction time you need to avoid an accident. BAS can sense when you have stepped on the brake quickly but have not applied it hard enough to activate the anti-lock brake system (ABS).

Ive personally received emails and letters from smart fortwo owners who had been in crashes, crediting the vehicle and its many safety devices for helping keep them safe.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, this recent test does not address the issue of where we are heading as a society. We see examples every day of how people want to conserve more and consume less. The car you choose is a lifestyle choice and, more and more, people are choosing small yet safe cars, including the smart fortwo, for many reasons. Ive seen and heard from many of you who purchased your smart fortwo for everything from convenience in urban areas, to its small carbon footprint, to its low cost of ownership, to it simply being a joy to drive.

We dont take crash tests lightly. But even federal regulators dont consider such an extreme test when they evaluate a given vehicles safety. As always here on smart USA (insider), we want to know what you have to say. In fact, weve created a new website, safeandsmart.com, that specifically addresses safety issues of the smart fortwo and gives smart owners a place to tell their safety stories " whether it was an accident they walked away from, or one they avoided altogether. We look forward to hearing from you.

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