Auto Show Unveils ``Y Generation'' Dream Cars; Include Safety, Insurance Cost Factors When Car Shopping for Teens.Business Editors/Automotive Writers Greater LA Auto Show An auto show, or motor show, is a public exhibition of current automobile models, debuts, concept cars, or out-of-production classics. It is commonly attended by automobile manufacturers. Most auto shows occur once or twice a year. 2003 LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 2, 2003 With industry estimates of the youth auto market as high as 60 million, auto manufacturers are rushing new models into production targeting the emerging "Y Generation" car buyers. The emphasis of these youth cars is on specs, style and speed. From souped-up showroom versions of the Ford Focus and Toyota Matrix The Toyota Matrix or called Corolla Matrix is a compact hatchback manufactured by Toyota in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada and sold in North America. The Matrix is the Toyota version of a joint venture between Toyota and General Motors; the GM version is the Pontiac to complete aftermarket car parts divisions such as MazdaSpeed, the youth trend is everywhere. But safety should be a priority for auto buyers, especially for cars intended for teenagers. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a recent study, the number of teen drivers on California roads will increase from 2.4 million to more than 3 million by the year 2007. In California, teen drivers represent about 4 percent of the driving population, but are involved in 8.8 percent of all fatal collisions and 9.9 percent of all injury collisions, according to the California Highway Patrol highway patrol n. A state law enforcement organization whose police officers patrol the public highways. . "A new wave of teen drivers will soon hit the road," said Candysse Miller, executive director of the Insurance Information Network of California. "Your teen may want to drive the newest 'hot wheels,' but be sure to factor safety into the mix." Crashworthiness Crashworthiness is the ability of a structure to protect its occupants during an impact. This is commonly tested when investigating the safety of vehicles. Depending on the nature of the impact and the vehicle involved, different criteria are used to determine the tests can help set car shoppers' priorities, especially for the smaller and faster models marketed to teens. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a U.S. non-profit organization funded by auto insurers. It works to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes, and the rate of injuries and amount of property damage in the crashes that still occur. (www.ibhs.org) offers families a comprehensive list of crash test performance. The list includes some of the newer and smaller models including the Volkswagen Beetle, the Mitsubishi Lancer and the Mini Cooper, all of which received the IIHS's "Best Pick" crash designation. When considering insurance costs, auto buyers will want to focus not only on crash test results, but also other safety features, the car's theft rate and the cost of repairs and parts. Consumer may check automotive theft rates through the National Insurance Crime Bureau "NICB" redirects here. NICB may also refer to the National Industrial Conference Board; see The Conference Board. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is a North American non-profit membership organization located in Des Plaines, Illinois. (www.nicb.org). Vehicles with high theft rates, costly replacement parts or poor crash test performance typically cost more to insure. IINC IINC Insurance Information Network of California is a non-profit, non-lobbying insurance trade association dedicated to helping consumers understand insurance and safety issues. EDITORS NOTE: IINC will have spokespeople available during the Los Angeles Auto Show to discuss this and other auto insurance issues. For more information or to schedule an interview, please call 213/738-5333. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion