Tesla
Motors said today it is still awaiting feedback from an ongoing federal
investigation, but the same federal agency has reaffirmed the 5-star
crash rating for the 2014 Model S.
The car was rated 5 stars in all categories for 2013, and the rating
was carried forth without changes by the National Highway Safety
Administration (NHTSA).
In August, when Tesla was rated 5 stars for the first time, company
CEO Elon Musk made public relations hay stating NHTSA had effectively
declared the Model S the safest car, bestowing 5.4 stars out of 5.
NHTSA quickly rebutted this claim, stating the ratings go only to 5 and that’s it.
“In addition, the agency has guidelines in place for manufacturers
and advertising agencies to follow to ensure that accurate and
consistent information is conveyed to the public,” said NHTSA.
Commenting today on the subject,
Tesla said: “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
has reaffirmed the 5-star safety rating of the Tesla Model S overall
and in all subcategories for Model Year 2014, confirming the highest
safety rating in America.”
Tesla’s statement of “the highest” in America could be interpreted as
a superlative, but it is believed technically within NHTSA’s guidelines
forbidding automakers to stretch the truth for promotional purposes.
The 5-star rating is actually a “highest,” but Tesla cannot say its specific Model S is the
highest among all competitors. Other cars also get 5 stars, and these
can be considered no lower or higher under NHTSA guidelines.
To make it crystal, NHTSA reiterated to us its policy:
“The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is committed to
improving safety on the nation’s roadways,” said a NHTSA representative
via e-mail today. “The agency’s 5-Star Safety Ratings program is
designed to provide consumers with information about the crash
protection and rollover safety of new vehicles beyond what is required
by Federal standards. One star is the lowest rating; five stars is the
highest. More stars equal safer cars. NHTSA does not rate vehicles
beyond 5 stars and does not rank or order vehicles within the star
ratings.”
When we had this question of Tesla, and relayed the specific wording
of its press release, NHTSA had this statement in our inbox inside of
three minutes.
That said, the Model S is indeed a well-engineered car.
With no engine in the front to be pushed into occupants during a
collision, its frontal impact tests have a distinct advantage. The car
also broke the roof crushing machine, and side-impact tests have shown
the car’s great structural integrity as well.
As for the NHTSA investigation into U.S. fires, there is no news on this yet to report, but Tesla noted it has been cleared by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority, Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA), which found perceived threats a non issue.
“It is worth noting that a Tesla vehicle is over five times less
likely to experience a fire than the average gasoline car and that there
have been zero serious injuries or deaths for any reason ever, fire or
otherwise, in a Model S,” said Tesla today. “Over the course of more
than 100 million miles driven in almost every possible terrain, weather
and crash conditions, the Tesla Model S has consistently protected its
driver and passengers, achieving the best safety track record of any car
on the road.”