Volvo aims to eliminate car crashes, Kelly Group gets national recognition
Volvo’s history of safety innovations continued this fall when two of its models, the S60 sedan and XC60 SUV, were among seven vehicles to earn the highest rating of Superior when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tested frontal crash prevention systems.
The IIHS tested 74 mid-price and luxury midsize sedans and SUVs in a new program that examines Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and automatic braking technologies that are designed to help drivers prevent rear-ending another vehicle.
Joining the Volvos in earning the highest rating were two Cadillacs (the ATS sedan and SRX SUV), two Subarus (Legacy sedan and Outback wagon), and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan.
Subaru’s EyeSight is a speed mitigation system that works to completely stop a vehicle from speeds up to approximately 19 mph and slow them considerably at higher speeds. It uses a high-mounted stereo camera that integrates Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking, and Lane Departure Warning to mitigate or avoid collisions.
“It’s an easy sell to customers once you demonstrate its capabilities,’’ says Jeff Morrill, owner of Planet Subaru in Hanover, “and I’ve been reading that it will be upgraded even more in the next (2015) model year.’’
The IIHS rating categories are basic, advanced, or superior. The test vehicles were driven towards an inflatable stationary target that simulates the back of a car in a series of five test runs at 12 and 25 mph. Up to five points are awarded based on the systems’ ability to slow the vehicle.
Those that rated superior had auto braking systems and either avoided a crash or reduced speed by at least 5 mph in tests at 12 and 25 mph.
Subaru was the only tested vehicle to get all five auto braking points, plus a point for FCW. The Volvos, Cadillacs, and Mercedes C-Class all got four auto braking points plus the FCW point.
Six models earned an Advanced rating when equipped with the systems. That group was the 2014 Acura MDX SUV, Audi A4 sedan and Q5 SUV, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Lexus ES, and Mazda6.
The Volvos that rated superior were equipped with the company’s standard City Safety autobrake system plus the optional Collision Warning with Full Autobrake and Pedestrian Detection. The systems detect and automatically brake for cars, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Next year, Volvo plans to advance the systems’ effectiveness to include working in darkness and introducing collision mitigation for large animals.
It seemed far-fetched a few years back when Volvo announced a corporate aim that by 2020 no one should be seriously injured or killed in a new Volvo. “Our long-term vision is that cars should not crash,’’ says Thomas Broberg, senior safety advisor for Volvo.
Volvo’s safety innovations are part of the company’s DNA, including the introduction of standard seat belts, padded dashboards, collapsible steering columns, anti-lock brakes, and rollover prevention.
All new Volvos sold in the United States, except the XC90, have the City Safety system as standard.
The IIHS developed the three-tier rating system to demonstrate that even a basic forward collision warning system can provide significant benefits.
“Front crash prevention systems can add a thousand dollars or more to the cost of a new car. Our new ratings let consumers know which systems offer the most promise for the extra expense,’’ says David Zuby, chief research officer for the IIHS.
“The point of autobrake systems is to help inattentive drivers avoid rear-ending another car,’’ Zuby explains. “It’s clear that the ability to automatically brake for both stopped and moving vehicles prevents the most crashes.’’
Thirty-six of the tested models don’t offer FCW or the system didn’t meet basic criteria for the IIHS of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Kelly Group on a Roll
These are big days for the Kelly Automotive Group with national and international recognition.
CEO Brian Kelly has been named a finalist for Time magazine’s annual Dealer of the Year Award.
The group is in the midst of a month-long grand opening of its Volkswagen Dealership on Rte. 114 in Danvers. Mark McNabb, COO of VW North America, and Frank Trivieri, executive vice president of sales, are visiting this week to recognize North America’s largest VW dealership.
Automotive News named five Kelly dealerships—Nissan (Lynnfield and Woburn), Honda (Lynn), Infiniti, and VW (both of Danvers)—among its Top 100 places to work for 2013.
“We try to take good care of our employees, and they take care of the customers,’’ says Kelly. That’s the philosophy he learned from his dad, Roland Kelly, who started the business by turning his used car lot into a fledgling Datsun dealership.
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