Crash Tests Show Safety Benefits Of Optional Side Air Bags

Tuesday, April 18th, 2006 Auto

For motorists seeking greater protection in crashes, test results released Sunday by the insurance industry show the benefits of paying for optional side air bags. DaimlerChrysler’s minivans - the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country - improved from the worst score to the second-highest on a four-tier scale (poor, marginal, acceptable and good) when the air bags were included. The air bag option costs an additional $595. GM’s four minivan models built on the same platform - the 2006 Chevrolet Uplander, Buick Terraza, Pontiac Montana SV6 and Saturn Relay - showed minor improvements when the side air bags were included, moving up one notch, to marginal.

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http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2006/04/17/67359.htm

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