Malibu and A4 get "best pick" for side impacts

[Aurora40]

June 5 , 2005

NEW SIDE IMPACT CRASH TEST RESULTS FOR FIVE MIDSIZE CARS:
AUDI A4 IS 'DOUBLE BEST PICK;' CHEVY MALIBU IMPROVES TO GOOD AND 'BEST PICK'

ARLINGTON, VA — Among five 2005 model midsize sedans, the Audi A4 with standard side airbags and the Chevrolet Malibu equipped with optional side airbags earn good ratings. They also earn the "best pick" designation in side impact crash tests recently conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Volvo S60 earns the second highest rating of acceptable. The Suzuki Verona and Nissan Maxima are marginal. No vehicle in this group is rated poor.

The A4, which also is a "best pick" in the Institute's frontal offset crash test, becomes only the second car to earn this designation in both tests. Along with the Saab 9-3, it's a "double best pick."

"The Institute's side impact test is severe, reflecting what happens when vehicles are hit in the side by a pickup or SUV," says Institute chief operating officer Adrian Lund. "These latest test results show that more and more manufacturers are improving their vehicles to better protect occupants in side impact crashes."

For more: www.iihs.org/news_releases/2005/pr060505.htm

[Letitroll98]

This GM's problem in a nutshell. Would you rather drive a Malibu or an A4? To even the field a bit, lets say plain jane A4 4 banger turbo against Malibu SS. Even though the Chevy is a pretty darn good car for the money, the public is voting for foreign brands in droves because when you tell your coworkers you have a new Audi, it's oohs and ahhhs. (Of course they're actually going for the similarly prices Camrys and Accords, but the perception is close and I'm left with this example from the post) New Chevy, ho hum, new Audi, oh, what's it like? GM needs to produce the same association excitement Chrysler did with the 300C and they haven't. It's all about product.

[scottydl]

And let me just add that the new Malibu Maxx (a fancy word for station wagon) model is one of the ugliest American cars to be produced in recent years. The Aveo comes in second. IMO of course, but Chevy is not exactly impressive in their new designs.