GM released today the safety ratings for the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 Series pick-up trucks. Both trucks received a 5-star NHTSA side impact safety rating. The NHTSA is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's New Car Assessment Program and it also awarded both pickups a 5-star rating in the frontal crash test.
GM Press Release:
2008 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra 1500 Series Trucks Only Full-Size Pickups With Top Five-Star Side-Impact Safety Rating
DETROIT, Mich. - The 2008 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 Series pickup trucks have
received the federal government's highest side-impact crash rating - five stars - making Silverado and Sierra the industry's only full-size pickups to earn this top rating.
Silverado and Sierra 1500 Series Regular Cab, Extended Cab and Crew Cab models all received the highest possible side-impact rating for models tested with and without available head curtain side-impact air bags. The Silverado and Sierra previously received the federal government's highest frontal crash test rating of five stars. Government star ratings are part of the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov).
"Customers continue to rank safety higher on their lists for new vehicle purchases and that helped us make safety before, during, and after a crash among our chief priorities when we redesigned the all-new Silverado and Sierra pickups for the 2007 model year," said Gary A. White, GM vice president and vehicle line executive for full-size trucks.
"The industry-leading safety attributes of these
pickups add to their well-deserved and longstanding reputation for dependability and durability, the hallmarks of a great pickup truck."
Silverado and Sierra deliver 360 degrees of crash protection through a stronger frame and body structure as well as industry- and segment-leading technology. They are also designed to provide increased compatibility with other vehicles. Features include segment-first StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover mitigation technology; available roof-mounted rollover-capable head
curtain side air bags, which are integrated into strengthened chassis and body structures to provide excellent passenger protection; and segment-first safety belt pretensioners that activate during a rear impact. The rollover-capable head curtain side air bags are available on Silverado LT and LTZ and Sierra SLE and SLT models; they are standard on Sierra Denali models.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, nearly 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
