IIHS Launches First Business Car Security Evaluations
The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) has expanded its car security evaluations into the industrial car market, releasing its first assessments of professional quality pickups and cargo vans.
The brand new program is designed to offer fleet operators with unbiased data on important driver-protection options that usually fall exterior present federal security necessities for industrial autos.
“For many years, IIHS has helped shoppers prioritize security of their car-buying selections,” IIHS President David Harkey mentioned. “These preliminary evaluations mark our first foray into industrial autos, which for too lengthy have been an afterthought in relation to rules and security data.”
Initially, IIHS evaluated 9 industrial autos, three Class 3 pickups and 6 cargo vans, specializing in options that shield drivers quite than crash efficiency. The assessments examined the provision of ordinary entrance and facet airbags, seat belt pretensioners, power limiters, and efficient seat belt reminder programs.
The institute plans to broaden this system within the coming months to incorporate evaluations of automated emergency braking, headlights, and different applied sciences that assist shield pedestrians and different street customers. Planning can also be underway for assessments of bigger Class 4-6 vans.
4 Autos Earn High Driver Safety Marks
4 autos met all of IIHS’s really useful driver safety standards:
- Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
- Ford F-350 SuperCrew
- Chevrolet BrightDrop 400
- Ram ProMaster 2500
The Ram 3500 included the required airbags and superior seat-belt applied sciences however lacked an efficient seat-belt reminder system.
The Ford Transit T250, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500, Rivian Supply 500, and Chevrolet Categorical 2500 additionally fell brief due to insufficient seat belt reminders, whereas the Categorical moreover lacked customary seat belt power limiters.
4 autos met all of IIHS’s really useful driver safety standards, whereas six fell brief in at the least one criterion.
Filling a Hole for Fleet Consumers
Not like passenger autos, many industrial autos will not be required to incorporate options equivalent to airbags, superior seat belt applied sciences, automated emergency braking, or different driver-assistance programs.
In accordance with IIHS, 6,535 folks have been killed in crashes involving heavy- or medium-duty vans or mild vans in 2023, accounting for 16% of all U.S. roadway fatalities.
The group mentioned its industrial car evaluations are supposed to assist fleet consumers make extra knowledgeable buying selections and to encourage producers to enhance security tools on work autos.
IIHS to Current at 2026 Fleet Ahead Convention
Fleet professionals could have a possibility to listen to extra concerning the initiative on the 2026 Fleet Ahead Convention, the place Harkey will ship the Fleet Security keynote.
His presentation will present an early have a look at IIHS’s industrial car testing program and talk about how the findings can assist fleets consider pickups, supply vans, and work vans.
The 2026 Fleet Ahead Convention convenes Oct. 20-22 on the Gaylord Nationwide Harbor, Md.
