The NHSTA has recently announced that they will begin selling lightly crash tested, low mileage vehicles. Of course, the fact that they have been crash tested will make them undriveable.

If, however, you are looking for a part for your vehicle or perhaps the entire engine these cars are perfect for that application.

Check out the list of cars available at GSAAuctions.gov.

Tags: auction, crash test, nhsta

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Here’s an awesome video and an awesome bit of product data for you, folks–you might think that a car from 1959 would be built like a tank, a gas guzzling monstrosity that can absorb any kind of damage thrown at it.

You would, oddly enough, be wrong.

Check out this video of a crash test between a 1959 Chevy Bel Air and a 2009 Chevy Malibu, its closest modern equivalent.  The Bel Air is shredded like salad lettuce.  Had there been people in those cars, the Malibu driver would be sore and possibly have a limp.

The Bel Air driver would be dead.

It really goes to show some of the incredible advancements made over the course of the last fifty years, and gives you a firsthand look at the engineered safety of modern era vehicles, or at least how far Chevy’s managed to come in that same time, even if they’re dead broke these days.

Tags: Chevy Bel Air, Chevy Malibu, crash test, crash testing, engineering improvements

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Yesterday we reported to you that Tata’s sub-$2000 Nano passed through European crash testing with generally good marks. Today, we have a video of the car actually undergoing said crash test which you can view here.

Now I know that Europe has deemed the Tata Nano safe enough to be driven on the road and I don’t know about you guys, but I wouldn’t want to be in that car (above others) during a crash.

It’s still not definite but Tata hopes to bring the Nano to the American market sometime before 2011.

Read (Automotive Engineer)

Tags: America, Budget, crash test, European, safety, tata nano, video

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For BMW’s proper use of steel that adhere to market demand and safety, the BMW X6 research and development team has been awarded the annual Automotive Annual Excellence Award. The award was presented today at the Great Designs in Steel seminar in Livonia, Mich.

The award recognizes individuals or teams from automakers, suppliers or the academic community who embrace innovation and make significant contributions to the advancement of steel in the automotive marketplace.

“The BMW X6 utilizes steel solutions that add to its unique, sporty design and meet new crash-test requirements, without sacrificing safety or increasing its weight,” said Ron Krupitzer, vice president of automotive applications for AISI’s SMDI. “BMW’s innovative use of ultra high-strength steel technologies has resulted in a vehicle that is safe, lightweight, environmentally friendly and offers the best fuel economy in its class.”

BMW uses unique processing technologies and several complex, ultra high-strength steel grades in its design. The vehicle features a steel structure and steel side frames, panels, rear and B-Pillar reinforcements and longitudinal rear member, which improve cost, performance, reduce weight and meet Insurance Institute for Highway Safety side-impact crash test requirements.

(Source) Press

Tags: academic community, automakers, automotive marketplace, bmw x6, class bmw, crash test, excellence award, fuel economy, processing technologies, side frames, side impact, sporty design, steel grades, steel solutions, steel structure, steel technologies, strength steel, test requirements

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With 15 awards tucked under its belt, the 2009 Dodge Ram becomes one of the trucks to watch out for. The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram earned a place on Ward’s distinguished list of winners, taking home the “2009 Interior of the Year” award in the popular-priced truck category.

“From the big, chunky knobs on the dashboard to the in-floor storage bins and the folding second-row seats, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram reminds us that big trucks can be rugged, functional and cool, all at the same time,” said Tom Murphy, executive editor of Ward’s AutoWorld magazine. “The editors find the Dodge Ram’s new interior extremely comfortable and well-conceived,” Murphy said. “The saddle stitching on the seats and instrument panel make a wonderful styling statement, as do the upscale instrument gauges.”

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram was the first “graduate” of the company’s new Advance Interior Design Studio. The 2009 Dodge Ram stands out with a renewed emphasis on craftsmanship expressed in premium interior appointments including six-ring instrumentation, re-designed controls, chromed accents, premium seating with improved bolsters and two-tone upholstery.

All 2009 Dodge Ram interiors are significantly upgraded with “soft-touch” materials that feature industry-first two-tone technology and premium fit and finish. Full-width contrasting stitching is offered on soft-touch instrument panels for Sport and Laramie models.

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Regular, Quad and Crew Cab models recently earned Five Star ratings for driver- and front-passenger protection in a frontal crash, the highest ratings in the U.S. government’s safety crash test program. The U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 is $22,170 (including $900 destination).

(Source) Press

Tags: 2009 dodge ram, autoworld, craftsmanship, crash test, Dashboard, destination source, dodge ram 1500, frontal crash, instrument panel, instrument panels, interior appointments, interior design studio, storage bins, test program

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Volkswagen garnered another award in the safety category as the Volkswagen Tiguan was rated one of the top small SUVs in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) new Roof Strength safety-test. Roof strength is a key factor in protecting vehicle occupants in a vehicle rollover, rated “Good” must have roofs that are more than twice as strong as minimum federal safety standards require.

Volkswagen’s compact sport utility vehicle previously received the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2008, the highest rating possible from the non-profit research organization. The annual award recognizes vehicles that perform best in protecting passengers in the Institute’s front, side and rear crash test evaluations, and includes only vehicles with electronic stability control and head protection airbags. The Tiguan has also received top ratings in the IIHS front and side crash testing.

Tiguan, like all current 2009 model year Volkswagen vehicles, is included in the no-charge Carefree Maintenance Program. Under this program all of Tiguan’s scheduled maintenance, as described in its maintenance booklet, is covered for the length of the New Vehicle Warranty, three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

(Source) Press

Tags: compact sport utility, crash test, electronic stability control, roof safety, safety category, safety test, sport utility vehicle, top small suvs, vehicles with electronic stability control, volkswagen tiguan, volkswagen vehicles

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The 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Regular Cab and Quad Cab earned the nod for safest driver- and front-passenger protection in a frontal crash, getting the highest ratings in the U.S. government’s safety crash test program. The 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab received the same five-star ratings earlier this year.

“Safety is an engineering priority in all Chrysler vehicles and the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram is proof of our efforts,” said Scott Kunselman, Vice President – Body on Frame Product Team, Chrysler LLC. “The all-new Dodge Ram offers enhanced passive safety protection as well as the latest active safety technologies. We have integrated more than 35 safety and security features, instilling the confidence our customers want and expect.”

When it comes to safety and security, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 employs a two-fold approach: passive features including pre-tensioning seat belt retractors and supplemental side-curtain air bags are combined with accident-avoidance features including responsive steering, braking, handling and ESC.

(Source) Press

Tags: 2009 dodge ram, accident avoidance, air bags, chrysler vehicles, crash test, crew cab, dodge ram 1500, five star, passive safety, safety and security, safety protection, safety technologies, seat belt retractors, security features, star ratings, test program

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