World News: Volkswagen Cars Honored With TOP SAFETY PICK Awards From the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Four 2010 Volkswagen models - the brand-leading Jetta sedan, the all-new Golf four-door, the stylish Passat sedan, and the nimble Tiguan - have each received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2010: The highest rating possible from the non-profit research organization. The annual award recognizes those vehicles that perform best in protecting passengers in the Institute's front, side, and rear crash test evaluations, and the newly required roof-strength test evaluations. The Institute only tests vehicles with electronic stability control (branded Electronic Stabilization Program® / ESP® on Volkswagen vehicles), and head protection airbags.

"TOP SAFETY PICKS are the vehicles on the top rung for safety," said IIHS president, Adrian Lund. "These Volkswagen models are in an elite group that afford the best protection in the most common kinds of crashes, and have electronic stability control to keep drivers out of many crashes altogether."

"The safety of our cars is of the utmost concern, from the initial design stages, all the way through to the maintenance procedures at dealerships," said Mark Barnes, COO, Volkswagen Group of America. "To have such an important group as the IIHS recognize not one, but a total of four Volkswagen vehicles with this prestigious award is a true testament to the care, safety, and precision we strive for with every Volkswagen we build."

Beyond their fun-to-drive dynamics and fuel-efficient engines, every 2010 model year Volkswagen vehicle includes, as standard, Volkswagen's Prevent and Preserve Safety System. Composed of more than 40 different features, the Prevent and Preserve Safety System helps keep drivers and passengers safe during normal driving conditions, and reduces the severity and consequences of a possible crash. The Jetta, Golf, Passat, and Tiguan also come standard with an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), ESP, up to eight airbags (depending on model), and more.

Credits: wilswong