Big trucks, SUVs could look very different in the near future

One of the most distinctive characteristics of American motorists is their seemingly unconditional embrace of large, gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs.

Originally designed for rugged, heavy duty vehicles such as Ford (F) Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, General Motors (GM) Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban and Stellantis’s (STLA) The Jeep Wagoneer has become symbols of the American suburbs.

These oversized cars are popular as stylish and comfortable family cars and are valued for their intimidating looks and perceived sense of safety.

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However, in an appearance at the Aspen Idea Festival a few months ago, Ford CEO Jim Farley warned American consumers that the future of the American auto industry depends on a commitment that may seem “un-American” and ironic, given see the type of cars. for which the Blue Oval is known.

“We need to start falling in love with smaller vehicles again,” Farley said. “It is very important for our society and for the adoption of electric vehicles. We are just in love with these monster vehicles and I love them too, but there is a major weight issue.”

It is also a major safety issue. Despite its perceived sense of safety for drivers and passengers, recent IIHS test results show that not all perceived “safe” large cars are safer for families inside. However, a new NHTSA proposal could permanently change the way large cars are considered by people outside the car.

2023 Ford Expedition during the driver’s side small overlap frontal crash test

IIHS

The feds are taking steps to keep pedestrians safe

According to the Associated Press, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed a new rule on Sept. 9 that would establish testing and performance requirements to minimize the risk of head injury to pedestrians.

The new rule would require automakers to meet a new federal safety standard for motor vehicles. If passed, it would require new passenger vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds, including what the agency calls “multipurpose passenger vehicles” such as trucks, SUVs, crossovers and vans, to be designed for reduce the risk of potentially serious or fatal injury. in pedestrian accidents for children and adults.

NHTSA says this proposed rule is motivated by the numbers. They note that in 2022, 88% of pedestrian deaths occurred in single-vehicle crashes. Their data from the same year shows that people who were killed by being hit head-on by a car were most common for multipurpose passenger vehicles with 49% of fatalities, followed by passenger cars such as sedans which caused 37% of fatalities.

Additionally, the United States stands out as a sore thumb among most developed countries where road deaths have declined. According to NHTSA, pedestrian fatalities have increased from 4,779 in 2013 to 7,522 in 2022, a 57 percent increase.

“We have a crisis of road deaths, and it’s even worse among vulnerable road users like pedestrians,” NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman said in a statement. “This proposed rule will ensure that vehicles are designed to protect those inside and outside from serious injury or death.”

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NHTSA says the new rulings would standardize a testing procedure that would test pedestrian impacts, which it estimates would save at least 67 lives a year.

The test would simulate a head-to-head impact with humanoid forms to measure the impact. The headforms, or crash test dummies, that NHTSA proposes to use in testing are said to represent a diverse range of pedestrians, from young children to adults.

NHTSA says the proposed rule is meant to comply with a bipartisan infrastructure law directive that seeks to match U.S. safety standards with those of the rest of the world.

Ford did not immediately respond to a request for comment on NHTSA’s proposal.

Congressional action was slow

NHTSA’s action follows congressional action on Aug. 23, when Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.) introduced a bill known as the Pedestrian Protection Act in the House. The bill would mandate federal standards for hood height and car visibility to protect pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.

In an interview with NPR, she noted that current automotive safety standards overlook those outside the car.

“We’ve seen these standards over time improve vehicle safety with an emphasis on the people in the vehicle,” Scanlon told NPR. “But (the bill) would extend that to pedestrians, bicyclists and people outside the vehicle.”

Related: Congress wants to change the way SUVs look

In particular, Scanlon mentioned to NPR that he likes “having an SUV,” adding that he used to drive a Chevrolet Suburban to transport his kids and teammates to soccer practice while hauling their equipment.

“Having a good-sized vehicle helps,” Scanlon told NPR. “But it looks like there are things we can do in terms of design that would reduce the blind spots of these larger vehicles.”

NHTSA’s SUV proposals face pushback

It’s important to note that NHTSA has tried new rules on this issue before. In 2023, they proposed the idea of ​​pedestrian impact testing, which would test vehicles for pedestrian impacts.

Their proposed rule would create a pass-fail rating for a pedestrian impact test, the results of which would be displayed only on NHTSA’s website rather than on new car window stickers. As a kicker, the program would be entirely voluntary, which could discourage manufacturers from disclosing whether their vehicles are pedestrian-safe.

In a statement to the AP from auto industry advocates, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation said the industry has provided input to regulators on pedestrian safety and will review NHTSA’s proposal. They also added that automakers have already developed crash avoidance technology to make roads safer for pedestrians and others.

In its statement, NHTSA says it will accept public comments on the proposed rule for 60 days beginning Sept. 9.

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