The IIHS initially gave the Smart fortwo a top crash rating, but it was downgraded after a new test -- which Smart officials insist is not a good, real-world indicator.
Smart USA is defending its two-seat microcar, the fortwo, in the face of problems it experienced during a new test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The respected IIHS said that despite early good marks, a new crash test shows some serious problems for the microcar.
The results are certain to stimulate new debate over whether American motorists are really prepared to switch to minicars as a potential solution to future gas price hikes. The institute’s findings suggest that size really does matter.
In a May 2008 test, shortly after the first fortwo went on sale in the U.S., the IIHS gave the microcar a “top rating.” But a new test, where a Smart was crashed into the front of a Mercedes-Benz C-Class, at 40 mph, didn’t fare so well, IIHS President Adrian Lund declaring “the safety trade-offs are clear.”
However, Dave Schembri, president of Smart USA, insisted the kind of crash simulated by the insurance industry-funded institute was rare.”The test used an extremely high crash severity which is unlikely to occur in real world crashes. In fact, less than 1 percent of all crashes fall within these parameters,” Schembri said.
“Moreover,” he added, “the Smart fortwo meets or exceeds all U.S. government crash test standards, which were designed to simulate the most common sorts of accidents. It has earned solid marks, including a 5-star side crash rating, and previously earned the highest scores for front and side crash worthiness from the IIHS in its standard test,” said Schembri, noting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires that cars and trucks of all sizes meet stringent safety requirements.
The Smart fortwo also is equipped with advanced crash avoidance and crash protection safety systems, including electronic stability program and a reinforced steel safety cage called a tridion safety cell, which is standard equipment on all models, he said.
Schembri added the test conducted by the IIHS was not consistent with how federal regulators evaluate vehicles in crash tests. The IIHS found that the drivers or passengers were more likely to suffer serious injuries in serious accidents.
He also said Smart has a proven track record of safety, with about one million cars on the road in 37 countries.
“People drive small cars for many reasons, not just fuel economy, as the IIHS states. People choose small vehicles because they are generally more environmentally friendly, a great value, they provide for greater driving and parking options in congested urban areas and many consumers tell us they are simply more fun to drive,” he said.
Smart USA is the exclusive distributor of the smart fortwo in the United States and Puerto Rico and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group Inc. The operation was set up when Daimler AG, Mercedes’ parent, was unable to come up with a viable business plan of its own to bring Smart products to the U.S.
The smart fortwo is manufactured by Daimler AG and gets 41 mpg on the highway and is an ultra-low emissions vehicle, as certified by the State of California Air Resources Board. It is 8.8 feet long, 5.1 feet tall and 5.1 feet wide is currently sold in 36 other countries. Prices range from $11,990 to $20,990.