An increasing number of consumers are looking carefully at safety options when hunting for a new car, and a recent American survey found that airbags topped their list of demands.
Airbags are the top priority for increasingly safety-conscious consumers hunting for a new car, an American survey has found.
According to JD Powers’ Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Feature Contenting report, head protection and side curtain airbags are features most consumers want on their new vehicles.
The report, which has been running for six years, looks at traditional and emerging vehicle features in categories of vehicle safety, performance, comfort and convenience. It surveyed about 111 000 owners of new vehicles.
About 66 per cent of the buyers polled wanted airbags that are positioned above the doors and cover glass areas in a side-impact accident, the report said.
"Drivers have come to rely on airbags as a major safety feature in their vehicles," said Neal Oddes, manager of product research at JD Power and Associates.
"The next step in the evolution of airbags is to provide additional protection to occupants from side collisions. Side impact airbags and head protection/side curtain airbags give consumers added confidence that they will be protected in the event of an accident. The demand for these kinds of safety measures continues to be strong."
Buyers also selected systems that help maintain control in emergency situations. Many wanted such features as stability control, which helps to evenly distribute braking and power to prevent skidding and loss of control, and brake assist, which provides maximum braking power in emergency situations. They also expressed the need for electronic traction control, which helps prevent aquaplaning in wet weather or on slippery surfaces.
Alternative-power cars, such as hybrid vehicles, also interested the buyers polled. About 33 per cent liked the idea of environment-friendly cars.
"Interest in hybrids is gaining momentum, and they are likely to be the next major feature to impact the automotive market," said Brian Walters, JP Power director of product research.
“Consumers are watching this emerging technology closely, and alternative power features could significantly change the landscape of the automotive industry."
