The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Crash Test Ratings Guide for 2003 Car Models Released

Woodland Hills, CA - Celebrating the company's 45-year anniversary and long-standing commitment to consumer education, 21st Century Insurance today released its annual Crash Test Ratings Guide for new 2003 car models. Produced in cooperation with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ("the Institute"), the crash test ratings guide provides consumers with nationally recognized safety rankings for recently released 2003 vehicle models. Unveiled at the 2003 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, the informative and easy-to-use brochure is intended to assist consumers in evaluating potential new vehicle purchases by detailing how well new car models withstand 40 mph frontal impacts or crashes.

Each year, the Institute ranks crashworthiness evaluation results for a broad spectrum of vehicles, spanning a range of manufacturers and models and the largest portions of new car sales. The rankings, widely considered a national standard for consumer protection, evaluate different safety criteria (primary vehicle structure, bumpers, restraint systems, etc) and rank vehicles as "poor", "marginal", "acceptable" , "good" and "best picks". Historically, the data had been solely housed digitally on the Institute's web site.

As a key component of the company's consumer education and safety program, 21st prepared last year the first-ever printed version of the performance rankings, delivering critical evaluations to a far wider audience than ever before. This year, 21st has provided consumers with the Institute's "Best Pick" awards for each major vehicle category, including large family cars, utility vehicles, passenger vans, luxury and small cars.

"A new car purchase is one of the most important decisions facing consumers today," said Bruce Marlow, president and chief executive officer for 21st Century Insurance. "At 21st, we are committed to ensuring that consumers and their families have the information and tools they need to drive safely."

21st will broadly disseminate this year's Crash Test Ratings Guide to its customers and the general public throughout California and select western states, via auto shows, community fairs, and the company's web site www.21st.com. By unveiling the Crash Test Ratings Guide at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, 21st makes it possible for consumers to reference key safety rankings as they view new car models. Los Angeles-based 21st is one of the few insurance companies with a significant presence at the L.A. Auto Show, which runs January 4 - 12, 2003.

In addition to the 2003 Crash Test Ratings Guide, 21st will also be providing L.A. Auto Show attendees with the company's companion consumer safety guide, 21 Safe Driving Tips. Acknowledging the company's 45th anniversary, the safe driving guide is a replica of a 45-rpm record designed as an easy-to-read consumer quiz. This interactive guide highlights the most common driving hazards and safety concerns, including bad weather conditions, cell phone usage, pedestrian safety, child safety seats, teen driving, etc. 21 Safe Driving Tips will also be made widely available to the public and 21st customers.

Consumer education, advocacy and safety are key missions for 21st. In addition to the consumer guides unveiled today, the company launched an official, statewide program with the California Highway Patrol in 2002 to promote child car seat safety. As part of the ongoing program, the two partners host regional community child safety seat fairs and have published Child Safety Seats -- A Parents Guide to inform parents of how to correctly install child safety seats and alert them to newly established regulations and guidelines. Child Safety Seats -- A Parents Guide along with all other company consumer guides are available on the company's web site.