MULTIVU VIDEO FEED: IIHS makes stronger protection for back seat passengers a must for 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards.
TO: NEWS PRODUCERS, ASSIGNMENT EDITORS AND AUTO REPORTERS
Thursday, March 13, 2025
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM ET
SD COORDINATES HD COORDINATES
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Galaxy 16
Galaxy 16
Transponder 08 - Slot 4
Transponder 08 - Lower
KU-Band
KU-Band
Downlink Freq: 11863 Vertical
Downlink Freq: 11851 Vertical
Bandwidth 6 MHz
Bandwidth 18 MHz
Symbol Rate: 3.9787
Symbol Rate: 13.235
Data Rate: 5.5
Data Rate: 18.2954
FEC: 3/4
FEC: 3/4
Thursday, March 13, 2025
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM ET
SD COORDINATES HD COORDINATES
--- ---
Galaxy 16
Galaxy 16
Transponder 08 - Slot 4
Transponder 08 - Lower
KU-Band
KU-Band
Downlink Freq: 11863 Vertical
Downlink Freq: 11851 Vertical
Bandwidth 6 MHz
Bandwidth 18 MHz
Symbol Rate: 3.9787
Symbol Rate: 13.235
Data Rate: 5.5
Data Rate: 18.2954
FEC: 3/4
FEC: 3/4
NEWS: IIHS makes stronger protection for back seat passengers a must for 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards.
FORMAT: B-roll & soundbites
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Video, hard copy requests, downloadable MPEG4, contact information and more available at https://www.multivu.com/iihs/93227141-en-iihs-unveils-2025-top-safety-picks.
STORY SUMMARY:
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is requiring better protection for second-row occupants for the 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards, encouraging automakers to make advanced seat belt technology and other safety innovations the norm in the back seat.
As a result, only 48 models qualify for 2025 awards so far, compared with 71 last year at this time. Of this year's winners, 36 earn TOP SAFETY PICK+ and 12 earn TOP SAFETY PICK.
The Institute's updated moderate overlap front test adds a second dummy seated behind the driver and emphasizes back seat safety. Last year, an acceptable or good rating in the updated test was a requirement for the higher-tier TOP SAFETY PICK+ award. However, a good rating in the original test was still enough to earn the base award.
This year, vehicles must earn an acceptable rating in the updated test to qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK, while a good rating is required for the "plus." The original test has been phased out completely.
As before, to earn either award, vehicles must also earn good ratings in the small overlap front and updated side tests as well as an acceptable or good rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation, which gauges performance in both daytime and nighttime conditions. All trims must be equipped with acceptable- or good-rated headlights.
A variety of models, ranging from small cars to large pickups and from economy cars to luxury vehicles, occupy the winner's circle, and most major players in the U.S. market are represented.
SUVs, which make up a large percentage of new models for sale, account for the bulk of the awards. Eight small SUVs, nine midsize SUVs, eight midsize luxury SUVs and three large SUVs combine for 28 of the 36 total TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards. Additional SUVs account for eight of the 12 TOP SAFETY PICKs.
In contrast, no minicars, large cars, minivans or small pickups feature among the winners, and only two large pickups, the Rivian R1T and Toyota Tundra, qualify for either accolade. The same two models, along with one small pickup, were also the only pickups to earn acceptable or good ratings in the updated moderate overlap test last year.
B-ROLL INCLUDES: Crash tests and other related footage, soundbites from David Harkey, president IIHS/HLDI
SOURCE: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
FOR STORY INFO, CONTACT: Joe Young +1 504 641 0491 (cell)
FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION, PLEASE EMAIL: STREAMS@MULTIVU.COM
This information is being sent to you by: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 4121 Wilson Boulevard, 6th floor, Arlington, VA 22203
/PRNewswire -- March 13, 2025/
SOURCE Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
