1. The U.S. New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

2. History of NCAP
Consumer information  Consumer demand  Manufacturers voluntarily improve safety
Frontal impact program (1979 MY)
Implemented star ratings (1994 MY)
Side impact program (1997 MY)
Rollover resistance (2001 MY)
Added a dynamic test (2004 MY)
Monroney label (2007)
Announced program enhancements (2008)
Government 5-Star safety ratings program

3. Early NCAP Program (MY 1979-2010)
Frontal impact program
Used 50th percentile male driver & passenger dummies
Head and chest criteria
Side impact program
50th percentile side impact dummies in driver seat & rear passenger seat (behind the driver)
Thoracic criteria only

4. Early NCAP (MY 1979-2010) – Cont. Rollover Resistance Static test
Dynamic test

5. NCAP Enhancements
In July 2008, NHTSA published a notice announcing major changes to NCAP
In October 2010, NHTSA implemented the enhanced program beginning with MY 2011
Frontal Program Changes
Side Program Changes
Ratings for new female dummies
Overall Vehicle Score
Recommended Advanced Technology

6. NCAP Enhancements (Cont.)
Frontal Impact
Male dummy in the driver seat
Female dummy in right front seat
New injury criteria

7. NCAP Enhancements (Cont.)
Side Impact
Male dummy in the driver seat of the moving deformable barrier test
Female dummy in rear seat of moving deformable barrier test
New injury criteria

8. NCAP Enhancements (Cont.)
Side Impact (Cont.)
Female driver dummy in new pole test
New injury criteria

9. NCAP Enhancements (Cont.)
Overall Vehicle Score
Frontal rating
Combination side rating
Side pole test
Side moving deformable barrier test
Rollover resistance rating
Recommended Advanced Technology
Electronic Stability Control
Forward Collision Warning
Lane Departure Warning

10. Program Outreach Efforts – Beyond the Traditional Media

11. Traditional Methods of Communication
In the past, NHTSA relied on the following methods to raise awareness of the 5-Star Safety Ratings program among target audiences:
Auto show exhibits, Monroney label, Buying a Safercar brochure, website

12. Consumer Response
Source of information

13. Outreach to Online Partners
Partners with consumer-centric automotive websites that have substantial reach
Share consumer-friendly fact sheets
New ratings program
New vehicle safety rating label (Monroney label)
Advanced technologies program

14. Child Safety Consumer Programs
Ease of Use ratings program
A program that rates how easy certain child seat features are to use
Development and publication of a new child safety brochure
Modernize the brochure to meet today’s consumer needs through mobile communications

15. Thank you