Volkswagen given top marks by US highway safety institute
By DPA, IANSTuesday, January 4, 2011
ARLINGTON - Volkswagen has been given top marks by the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) which rated a total of six Volkswagen models as the “Top Safety Pick 2011″.
In the compact class, the Jetta Sedan, the Jetta Sport Wagen, the Golf, the Golf GTI and the Tiguan (mid-class SUV) stood out among their competitors. The Touareg is the only large SUV to receive a rating.
According to the US testers, the Volkswagens provide a high level of occupant protection in front, rear and side crashes as well in rollover accidents (roof strength). Alongside the body structure, standard safety systems such as ABS, ESP and curtain airbags were also tested by the IHSS.
The Top Safety Pick is awarded every year by the IIHS for vehicles which display particular excellence in their individual segment through particularly extensive measures in the area of active and passive safety.
The institute in Arlington, Virginia was founded in 1959 and carries out its tests under commission from various different insurance companies. A total of 66 models of the leading automobile manufacturers were rated this year.
