Wolfsburg, 01 December 2009 - The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the USA has just named four Volkswagen models as “TOP SAFETY PICKs 2010”. The Golf, Jetta, Tiguan and Passat posted impressive results in the test procedure, which has subjected vehicles to significantly more stringent requirements since the beginning of 2009. The European consumer protection organisation Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) awarded the Scirocco sport coupé its top rating of “five stars”.

In the estimation of testers in the USA, the Golf, Jetta, Tiguan and Passat offer the highest possible level of occupant protection in frontal, rear and side impacts as well as in the recently introduced test for roof strength. Besides testing for strength of the body structure, IIHS also evaluates safety systems offered as standard equipment such as ABS, ESP and head airbags.

Every year, the IIHS makes its TOP SAFETY PICKs of vehicles that offer exceptionally extensive active and passive safety features for their market segments. The institute, founded in 1959 and located in Arlington (Virginia), conducts studies commissioned by a number of different insurance companies.

The third generation of the popular Scirocco sport coupé, which has been on the market for one year across Europe, was studied based on the new Euro NCAP assessment method. The Scirocco’s safety systems showed impressive results in all assessment categories. Occupant protection, child safety, pedestrian safety and safety equipment were implemented so successfully in vehicle development that the Scirocco was awarded a top "five star" rating.

Volkswagen has a long tradition of developing safe vehicles. This includes systematic analysis of the findings of real accidents. Volkswagen conducts its own accident research here, analysing accident data from its various markets.