There may be a lot less car ads in the future that tout their 5 star safety ratings. Many 2011 car models will have to undergo a tougher safety standard set by the U.S. Transportation Department. Cars will now receive sub ratings along with the overall rating. Crash test dummies will now also include female models. The change in rating system could cause confusion among consumers who are used to the old ratings. The stricter standard is evident from the fact that the 2011 Toyota Camry earned 3 stars overall, while the 2010 model received 5 star ratings for both front and side crashes. Advancements in safety and design has helped lead to the fewest number of traffic deaths in 2009 since 1950. Some in the auto industry worry that the new ratings would lead to a drop in sales. Some worry that consumers could decide to not buy a car because it doesn’t have a 5 star rating.
I think it makes perfect sense to keep imposing higher standards to keep innovation going. Once companies earn 5 star ratings for their cars, they would do little to improve it. Setting the bar higher means the auto industry must keep improving the quality of its cars. The complacency of companies with their models is evident from the fact that the Toyota Camry’s ratings fell so much in a year even with the new test. Consumers expect newer models to be safer and higher quality in exchange for the higher price. This new standard will ultimately help consumers by providing them with safer cars.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703843804575533961959252030.html?mod=WSJ_auto_IndustryCollection
I agree, this movement towards higher safety standards will be extremely helpful to the public as a whole. Every company strives for perfection, and the automotive companies are no exception. Once the safety standards are raised, every one will try to get the 5 star rating that they are used to, and that will keep our public more safe. But I also believe that the low safety ratings will deter those who are uneducated about the change from buying cars for a while. Because if I currently have a 5 star rated car, and I was unaware of the change (which I feel many people will be) I wouldn't ever want to change it for a 3 star rated car like the 2011 Toyota Camery. Overall, it will take some time, but eventually the public and the auto industry will adapt to the new safety standard changes and it will be extremely beneficial to our future.
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