Carmakers crash their cars dozens, even hundreds, of times from all different angles before they sell their first example to the public, to ensure that their vehicles will pass federally required tests and do satisfactorily in comparative crash tests.
In 1992, these tests weren't nearly as comprehensive as they are today: federally, a car had to pass 30 mph full frontal and rear fuel tank integrity crash tests. A side-impact test requirement was due to be phased in by 1997.
Also, a 35 mph full frontal crash test was conducted by NHTSA to compare vehicles' frontal impact safety. It was easy to get away with poor performance in this test in the early 1980s, but by 1992 many consumers used this test's results as a vital part of their car buying decisions. Poor performers were at a competitive disadvantage.
These were among the tests that almost all automakers performed in-house. Some manufacturers were doing in-house offset tests, spurred on by tests conducted in Europe; none of the US "Big Three" manufacturers were doing offsets yet. A few manufacturers did side impact tests, and about half did rollovers.
17 carmakers were asked by IIHS to provide information. Some provided limited information, and some extensive information.
One carmaker, Isuzu, refused to comment despite "repeated telephone and written inquiries."
Read about these crash tests in this IIHS Status Report article.
In 1992, these tests weren't nearly as comprehensive as they are today: federally, a car had to pass 30 mph full frontal and rear fuel tank integrity crash tests. A side-impact test requirement was due to be phased in by 1997.
Also, a 35 mph full frontal crash test was conducted by NHTSA to compare vehicles' frontal impact safety. It was easy to get away with poor performance in this test in the early 1980s, but by 1992 many consumers used this test's results as a vital part of their car buying decisions. Poor performers were at a competitive disadvantage.
These were among the tests that almost all automakers performed in-house. Some manufacturers were doing in-house offset tests, spurred on by tests conducted in Europe; none of the US "Big Three" manufacturers were doing offsets yet. A few manufacturers did side impact tests, and about half did rollovers.
17 carmakers were asked by IIHS to provide information. Some provided limited information, and some extensive information.
One carmaker, Isuzu, refused to comment despite "repeated telephone and written inquiries."
Read about these crash tests in this IIHS Status Report article.
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