WASHINGTON --- Ford Motor Co., Subaru and Volkswagen AG led the insurance industry's annual list of the safest new vehicles, according to an assessment used by car companies to lure safety-conscious consumers into showrooms.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded its "top safety picks" on Wednesday to 19 passenger cars and eight sport utility vehicles for the 2010 model year. The institute substantially reduced the number of awards from 94 in 2009 because of tougher requirements for roof strength.
Ford and its Volvo unit received the most awards with six, followed by five awards apiece for Japanese automaker Subaru and German automaker Volkswagen and its Audi unit.
Chrysler Group LLC received four awards, followed by two each for Honda Motor Co. and General Motors Co.
Toyota Motor Corp., BMW AG, Mazda Motor Corp. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. were shut out in the annual review.
The vehicles are selected for best protecting motorists in front, side and rear crash tests based on evaluations during the year.
SAFE DRIVES
Here are the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's 2010 "top safety picks":
LARGE CARS: Buick LaCrosse, Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, Volvo S80
MIDSIZE CARS: Audi A3, Chevrolet Malibu (built after October), Chrysler Sebring (four-door with optional electronic stability control), Dodge Avenger, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Volkswagen Jetta (four-door), Volkswagen Passat (four-door), Volvo C30
SMALL CARS: Honda Civic (four-door with electronic stability control, except Si model), Kia Soul, Nissan Cube, Subaru Impreza (except WRX), Volkswagen Golf (four-door)
MIDSIZE SUVS: Dodge Journey, Subaru Tribeca, Volvo XC60, Volvo XC90
SMALL SUVS: Honda Element, Jeep Patriot (with optional side thorax air bags), Subaru Forester, Volkswagen Tiguan.
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