The auto industry has had its fair share of trials to overcome
as of late, as trusted motor companies like Ford (NYSE:
F
) and Toyota (NYSE:
TM
) have dished out many
recalls throughout 2012
. Now drivers may feel the need to heighten their skepticism, as
several luxury vehicles have failed to pass a new crash test
administered by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
According to
The Los Angeles Times
, concerns have been raised over the fact that several high-end
vehicles may not be able to protect drivers and passengers from
possible injuries, despite hefty price tags and usually sterling
reputations. Expensive brands such as Mercedes, Audi and Lexus were
just a few of the eight 2012 models that failed to pass.
But just how crucial was the test to begin with? While some
could argue that any motor vehicle testing failure is critical
regardless of the circumstance, this particular assessment appears
to be of the utmost importance. The new crash simulation tested
front-corner impacts to determine what would happen if a sedan hits
another vehicle or object.
What is even more frightening for drivers is how long these
marginal-to-poor ratings could take to correct. David Champion,
director of Consumer Reports' auto testing program, told The Los
Angeles Times that it could very well take five to 10 years before
each manufacturer determines how to pass the test - numbers that
will surely fail to impress those driving these particular
models.
Protection has been a consistent topic of discussion amongst
automakers as of late, with the media doing its part to alert
drivers to recent vehicle malfunctions and recalls. That being
said, Ford announced yet another recall on Tuesday, this time in
India.
The Detroit-based company is recalling approximately 130,000 of
its most popular cars overseas for defects that can cause fires and
other issues, according to
ABC News
. Ford will examine and replace a hose in many Figo and Classic
cars, along with examining several thousand models for a faulty
rear twist beam.
The automaker is recalling Figo and Classic cars that were
manufactured between January 2008 and February 2011 for
inspection.
Announcing another recall could have potentially negative
implications on Ford stock, which is struggling to add value as of
late. The company closed yesterday at $9.40, down about 15 percent
year-over-year.
As more issues continue to surface amongst car manufacturers and
the level of safety they provide, drivers are left to question who
they should trust their lives to when on the open road. Thus far,
General Motors (NYSE:
GM
) may seem like the safest option, as the company has remained
mostly mute throughout the recall and crash test frenzy.
(c) 2012 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice.
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