General Motors (GM) has announced it will exceed industry norms by equipping 98% of its 2023 model year vehicles with five active safety features as standard. This includes all new electric vehicles (EVs) launching this year, such as the family-friendly Chevrolet Blazer EV and Equinox EV.
GM’s safety features include Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and IntelliBeam auto high-beam control. The company’s move not only surpasses an industry-wide commitment to make Automatic Emergency Braking standard on 95% of all new vehicles sold, but also extends to these additional safety components.
“GM has gone well beyond the safety commitment we made to our customers for the 2023 model year, with additional standard safety features proven to yield tangible benefits,” said John Capp, Director of Vehicle Safety Technology, Strategy, and Regulations at GM.
A 2023 study by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) supports these safety initiatives. The research revealed that Automatic Emergency Braking, when combined with Forward Collision Alert, reduced rear-end striking crashes by 42%. Front Pedestrian Braking was found to decrease pedestrian accidents by 23%, while Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning decreased roadway departure crashes by 15%. A prior UMTRI study in 2022 showed IntelliBeam reducing nighttime crashes involving animals, pedestrians, and bicyclists by 22%.
The 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, and GMC Canyon models will be among the first to showcase these standard safety features, additionally bringing forward a new generation of front sensors for added benefits. These include extending Automatic Emergency Braking operation to 80 mph, adding Bicyclist Automatic Emergency Braking to Front Pedestrian Braking operation, smoother Lane Keep Assist engagement, and introducing Blind Zone Steering Assist.
Even GM’s latest affordable internal combustion engine vehicles will reflect this commitment to safety, with models like the 2024 Chevrolet Trax offering these safety features at a starting price of $21,495. Thus, GM’s approach ensures customers across all price points and trim levels can avail of these proven safety technologies.
However, GM emphasizes that these safety features are not a substitute for a driver’s responsibility to operate their vehicle safely. While these technologies can aid in preventing accidents, drivers must remain attentive to traffic, surroundings, and road conditions at all times.
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