General Motors issued a statement that took issue with how Runge presented his facts. "According to real-world government crash data compiled by the NHTSA, SUVs are two to three times more protective of their occupants in frontal, rear, and side-impact crashes that make up 97.5 percent of all crashes," said Jay Cooney, GM's Director of Safety Communications. "The major reason for fatalities in rollovers, which represent only 2.5 percent of all crashes, is due to a lack of seatbelt use." Citing crash data from 2000, Cooney said 75 percent of the people killed in rollover accidents died as the result of being ejected from the vehicle because they were not belted. "This is exactly why GM has been diligently working with Dr. Runge and the NHTSA on increasing seatbelt usage in this country," Cooney said.
Instead of being the "killer" vehicles Runge and others are claiming, SUVs have made our roads safer, Cooney said. "During [the SUV] sales boom, the nation's fatality rate (based on vehicle miles of travel) dropped by more than 50 percent, to an all-time low."
Detroit Auto Show Roundup, Part 2
The Concept Trucks
These days, concept vehicles aren't the total fantasy vehicles they once were. More often, truck makers disguise future production models as "concepts" to test public response to upcoming designs. So expect to see some form of these trucks hitting the road in the next few years.
Chevy Cheyenne Love it or hate it, the Cheyenne looked (to us, anyway) like what an actual production pickup truck might look like four or five years down the road. While we're not thrilled with its blunt-nose styling, we do like that Chevy is exploring options in the truck's bed. The tailgate can be opened traditionally, or just half-way for loading small cargo or to create a work shelf. Additional access to the bed is via two doors right behind the cab. There are also storage bins in the bed floor and drawers in the bedsides.
Those of you who load heavy gear (like ATVs) into your truck beds will appreciate the fact that the Cheyenne's load floor is just 28 inches off the ground, "significantly lower" than a current 2WD Silverado model, says Chevy. Credit an independent rear suspension for making room to lower the floor.
Dodge Durango RT Hemi Concept Though Dodge is calling this a concept, it also admitted that the truck "provides a strong hint of the next generation Durango that will appear in late 2003 as a '04 model." How strong a hint? Look for "approximately 85 percent" of the concept's exterior design to translate into production.
We can only hope that the 5.7L Hemi V-8 under the hood also makes it into production. Putting a 345-horse Hemi into one of these babies, especially with the concept's full-time 4WD drivetrain, would make it a great pavement pounder. And no slouch off-road, either.
Ford Freestyle FX While Chevy chose to show off a production version of its new Equinox crossover SUV, Ford played it cagey and displayed a concept version of its new Freestyle crossover, which will debut in 2004. How do the two differ? Though Ford won't spill, chances are good the production vehicle won't have the "three-vehicles-in-one" body. The FX can convert from a six-passenger wagon to either a four-passenger sedan or a four-passenger SportTrac-like vehicle with a cargo bed.
What will carry over from concept to reality is the Freestyle's platform, which is not based on a current car or minivan like other crossovers are. Instead, Ford calls it "purpose-built crossover architecture," with a unibody construction, a 3.0L V-6 engine, and CVT transmission.
Toyota FJ Cruiser Concept The FJ Concept is Toyota's attempt to create a "capable and affordable off-roader" aimed at "young buyers with active outdoor lifestyles." Uh huh. I guess we're not young enough. We don't get it. The styling is supposed to be reminiscent of the old FJ-40, with its round headlights, narrow grille, upright windshield, and contrasting roof panel. But it just ain't working for us.