Smart Fortwo Scores Well in IIHS Crash Test

The ’08 Smart Fortwo coupe earns the highest front and side crashworthiness ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Dave Schembri, president of Bloomfield Hill, MI-based Smart USA, says the company is pleased with the results.

“This is important news for consumers who are looking for vehicles that offer both excellent fuel economy and safety,” Schembri says in a statement, adding the 2-seat minicar’s safety system performed as designed in the crash test.

Smart Fortwo’s crash-test results from the National Highway Traffic Safety Admin. last month were mixed. While its scores ranged from three stars to a top rating of five stars and overall head-injury risk was well within reasonable limits, the driver’s door unlatched and opened during the test. The event did not affect its rating.

U.S. sales of the car began in February. With expectations of about 26,000 unit-sales, the car virtually is sold out for this model year, the auto maker claims.