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Insurance Institute Bumper Tests Reveal Cost of Repair Weakness
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| Mazda 6 gains acceptable rating; G35 and others receive poor rating |
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 22:26:52 |
| Rating |
 87 ( -14 -16.09% ) | | Author | Brian Chee |
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Description:
For every action there is a reaction. That old axiom rings true when it comes to choosing a new vehicle -- there's usually something you have to give up for everything you get from your new ride. The more powerful the engine, the more you'll spend in fuel costs. The more luxurious, the more you spend in options. The more fun, the less interior room.
And, as is increasingly the case with today's cutting edge vehicle designs, the more exciting the look the more you potentially could pay in body shop repairs. At least that seems to be the result of recent tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). During tests conducted in September, IIHS officials examined bumpers on the 2003 Mazda 6, the 2003 Infiniti G35, the 2004 Nissan Quest minivan, the 2003 Mercedes E class, 2003 Saab 9-3 and 2004 Toyota Sienna minivan. Tests included four 5 mph impacts: front-and rear-into-flat-barrier, front-into-angle-barrier and rear-into-pole. According to the IIHS, the tests reveal how well bumpers can prevent damage in low-speed impacts, a common occurrence in commuter traffic and parking lots. Of the vehicles tested, only the Mazda 6 received acceptable ratings. The 2003 Saab 9-3 and the 2004 Toyota Sienna minivan were judged to be marginal, while the Infiniti G35, Nissan Quest and Mercedes E class received poor ratings for bumper performance. According to the institute, average damage per test ranged from about $340 for the Mazda 6 to $1,480 for the Infiniti G35.
In a report released by the IIHS, Adrian Lund, chief operating officer for the Institute, cited extensive damage to body panels, including a crushed trunk lid and floor pan, on the G35. Lund also said that both rear fenders buckled during the flat barrier test, and that damage to the Quest was more than three times higher than the 1999 version. In the test, the rear body and the tailgate were damaged.
According to a statement released by Nissan, "the Nissan Quest and Infiniti G35 perform competitively in terms of cost of repair. Obviously, the cost to repair bumpers is only one component. These tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety are conducted to determine cost estimates to repair damage incurred in low speed bumper impact tests and are not related to safety. We believe it's difficult for these tests to accurately reflect the various conditions experienced by drivers every day and it is highly unlikely that anyone would be simultaneously involved in the four low-speed crash modes under
real-world conditions. All Nissan and Infiniti products are engineered to meet and surpass the safety regulations established by the federal government as well as pass our own rigorous internal safety requirements."
Though it's virtually impossible to predict how a vehicle will perform in a real-world accident, Nissan's poor bumper tests may be a forecast of things to come for most automakers. Designers continue to develop more advanced designs and safety innovations make bumpers less important when it comes to protecting vehicle occupants. That doesn't mean, however, that bumpers are less important to a car buyer looking for long-term value.
According to Nissan, "Cost of ownership and repair is an important part of vehicle ownership and at Nissan, we take our commitment to customer satisfaction very seriously. We design each new model to resist low-speed collision damage and will continue to work closely with major insurance companies to keep premiums low for our customers."
Ultimately, when it comes to low-speed collisions, bumpers carry the brunt of the damage. And today, with more cars on the road, the likelihood of a "fender bender," happening is greater than ever. In that scenario, bumpers become important ways to keep the cost of repair down - an important expense if you're in the market for a new vehicle. |
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