American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today a new voluntary program to provide important safety information to consumers. Monroney labels (window stickers) on all 2006 model year Honda and Acura cars and light-duty trucks will include a listing of government crash test ratings. Honda will be the first company to make this safety information available to consumers on the important window labels, that show pricing, vehicle features, point of origin, Environmental Protection Agency numbers, domestic content, emissions and other information.
In keeping with Honda's 'Safety for Everyone' initiative, all vehicle window stickers will display the star ratings awarded under the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's (NHTSA), New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) for frontal, side and rollover crash safety test ratings.
"Honda's commitment to safety goes beyond conventional measures with our 'Safety for Everyone' initiative," said John Mendel, senior vice president, automobile operations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Honda's initiative is just one of several actions we are taking to advance motor vehicle safety and to educate consumers."
Honda's action to revise its window labels to include safety rating information is modeled after the 'Stars on Cars' initiative sponsored by U.S. Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH). Senator DeWine's provision in the Highway bill would require manufacturers to post NHTSA crash tests "star" ratings on vehicle pricing stickers.
"I would like to congratulate Honda on this announcement. As with its 'Safety for Everyone' initiative, Honda has shown again today that it is willing to innovate and take voluntary action to protect the driving public. I look forward to a time when all new cars will come standard with 'Stars on Cars' labels," stated Senator Mike DeWine (R-Ohio). "This common-sense legislation is included in the Senate's version of H.R. 3, yet is not in the House's, and I urge the Conference Committee to include it in the final report. Vital safety information needs to be accessible to the consumer when they need it most, at the dealership when purchasing decisions are made," Senator DeWine said.
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program provides consumers with vehicle safety information on front and side crash tests, as well as rollover ratings. The test results are publicized through a recognizable star rating system - from 1 to 5 stars, with 5 being the best score. The star ratings, are accessible on the safercar.gov website but may not be readily available on the showroom floor.
"Honda is setting a good example for other manufacturers by getting safety information to the customer at the point of sale," said NHTSA Administrator, Jeffrey W. Runge, M.D. "This voluntary action helps the market work for the safety of consumers."
Honda has more vehicles than any other brand that achieve a top rating for both frontal and side impacts under the federal government's NCAP and SINCAP crash rating programs.
Through Honda's industry-leading 'Safety for Everyone' initiative, all Honda and Acura vehicles, with the exception of a small number of specialty vehicles, will feature a suite of advanced safety technologies. By the end of calendar year 2006, front side airbags with an Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), side curtain airbags and anti-lock brakes will come as standard equipment. Most Honda and all Acura light-duty trucks, including all SUVs and minivans, will also be equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®) and rollover sensors for side curtain airbag deployment.
Honda's 'Safety for Everyone' initiative is based on the company's commitment to leadership in safety and to providing a high level of occupant and pedestrian protection in all its cars and trucks, as well as increased crash compatibility with other vehicles, regardless of size or price. In addition to having two of the world's most advanced crash test research centers, Honda has conducted industry-leading research into increased pedestrian safety and car-to-car crash compatibility, two critical issues in the quest to further reduce traffic-related injuries and deaths.
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For more information regarding the NHTSA tests, visit www.safercar.gov. Consumer
information regarding Honda products is available at www.honda.com. Media information
and high-resolution image downloads of Honda vehicles are available at www.hondanews.com.
