Chevrolet Cruze Receives Maximum Five-Star Safety Rating in Europe

Highest score ever in frontal and side collision tests in EuroNCAP history

The Chevrolet Cruze global compact sedan, already on sale in Europe, Asia and other markets, has earned the top rating of five stars from the European New Car Assessment Program (EuroNCAP), which released its latest safety ratings on November 25.

According to EuroNCAP, the Cruze scored 79 points out of 100, making it one of the safest models in the passenger car class.

The Cruze received a maximum 16 points in the frontal offset collision test and a maximum 8 points in the side impact crash test against a moving deformable barrier. The Chevrolet Cruze is the first passenger car to receive maximum scores in both tests since EuroNCAP began providing crash test ratings in 1997.

The independent European testing organization also awarded the compact sedan a high score of 7.3 out of 8 points in the more severe side pole test, indicating that Cruze’s reinforced side shell helps protect passengers in the event of a side collision. The headrests were well positioned to absorb crash energy against whiplash in a rear-end collision. The compact sedan was also given high marks for child and pedestrian protection during testing.

“We are pleased with the Cruze’s outstanding safety rating,” said Steve Clarke, vice president, global vehicle engineering. “Today’s results confirm that the Cruze offers benchmark safety. This complements its bold styling, excellent ride and handling, and outstanding value.”

The Cruze had earlier received best-in-class, five-star crash safety ratings in the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) testing in Australia and the Chinese New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP) testing in China.

Contributing to the outstanding test results is the car’s solid body structure. The Cruze features a new body-frame integral (BFI) system supplemented with finely tuned chassis components. With the BFI system, the upper body structure and frame are engineered as a single unit, offering a heightened sense of solidity and stability.

Sixty-four percent of the structure is constructed of high-strength steel, offering a high level of protection. Reinforcing the door and locker seal applications, the use of ultra-high-strength steel for the B-pillars and the efficient aluminum bumper application further ensure maximum safety.

The Cruze is a member of a new range of small, compact and mid-size products being rolled out in markets around the world. Production for the United States and Canada will begin in the third quarter of 2010 in Lordstown, OH.

For more information on EuroNCAP’s safety ratings, go to www.euroncap.com.

About Chevrolet

Chevrolet is one of America's best-known and best-selling automotive brands, and one of the fastest growing brands in the world. With fuel solutions that range from "gas-friendly to gas-free," Chevrolet has nine models that offer an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon or more on the highway, and offers three hybrid models. More than 2.5 million Chevrolets that run on E85 biofuel have been sold. Chevrolet delivers expressive design, spirited performance and strives to provide the best value in every segment in which it competes.