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Ed,
The IIHS 40mph offset crash test results of any car should be questioned, IMHO. Why? First of all, the IIHS is funded by auto insurance companies-whose main overall goal is to make money and reduce claim vehicle claim costs.
But think about this. They use a sample size of one-that's 1 car, and use it to be representative of the model. Anyone who knows a little about the scientific method, experiments and statistics know that test results based on one sample is not reliable. For example, if I were to shoot a basketball from half court and make it on the first try, could we assume that I will always make it from halfcourt? No. Would we assume that I will always make it from halfcourt? No.
So why should we take IIHS test results as an axiom? A guideline, perhaps. But not the absolute, ireffutable truth.
Take the Volvo S80 for example-a highly rated car in IIHS tests. IIHS performed low speed 5mph bumper tests of the Volvo S80 where the the airbags deployed during a 5mph flat barrier test. Here's what they had to say:
"In the 5 mph flat-barrier test of the Volvo S80 "we saw something this year we've never seen before," O'Neill points out. "There was about $500 damage to the front end of the vehicle, most of it hidden under the bumper cover. In addition -- and this is what was so surprising -- both airbags deployed, resulting in another $4,500 in repair bills. The Institute and Volvo are working together to try to understand the significance of the airbag deployment in this impact. Obviously, airbags shouldn't deploy in low-speed crashes."
Volvo's investigation leads the company to conclude this particular deployment was a rare quirk, and the company believes the test result won't translate into frequent airbag deployments in low-speed crashes on the road. The Institute is studying real-world crash deployments in S80 models, and "if low-speed deployments are rare," O'Neill says, "then we would agree with Volvo. But if we find many low-speed deployments, then Volvo should redesign the airbag sensors for the S80."
Did the IIHS conclude that this "quirk" would hold true for every S80 made? Of course not. Did they (both IIHS and Volvo) reinvestigate the matter? Yes. And did the repeat test of the S80 show similar results? If I remember correctly-it didn't.
SAAB performs over 40 different crash tests of its cars, and has been collecting and analysing crash data from SAABs inolved in accidents in Sweden for over 2 decades. SAABs have some of the lowest insurance injury and collision losses among passenger cars in its class. Etc, etc.
Just do a board search of a couple of people on the board who were involved in rather severe accidents and escaped from serious injury. There's a recent post earlier this week. I remember reading another one a few months ago.
posted by 68.14.4...
Volvo S80 low speed bumper test investigation
, Fri, 22 Mar 2002 18:30:29
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