Chevrolet: If Crashes Turn You Off, Keep Your Alerts Turned On

Collision-avoidance features are like having a co-pilot aboard – minus the baggage

Safety belts, air bags and strong passenger compartment structures are responsible for saving more lives in crashes than ever. But what if those collisions never happened in the first place?

Research shows 90 percent of crashes are caused by human error, and Chevrolet’s new available crash-avoidance technologies are designed to help drivers maneuver around rear-end, backup, blind spot and lane-change collisions with systems that send alerts via beeps, flashing icons and even by vibrating the driver’s seat.

“For decades, the focus has been protecting people from being injured or killed in a crash,” said General Motors Active Safety Technical Fellow Raymond Kiefer. “While we’re still keenly focused on that, now we have a real opportunity to help prevent those crashes with technologies that warn drivers of potential dangers.”

The alerts, however, are only as effective as a customer’s willingness to keep them turned on.

At the North American International Auto Show, which opens to the public on Jan. 17, a safety experience in the Chevrolet Theater with a massive, high resolution 73-foot-long, 20-foot-tall display screen will show how Chevrolet vehicles are designed to prevent, protect and respond to help keep vehicle occupants safe on the road.

According to a consumer survey by AutoTrader.com and GM customer research, one of the more appealing crash-avoidance technologies is side blind zone alert, which helps drivers avoid striking a vehicle in their blind spot during a lane-change maneuver. Improper lane changes account for about 9 percent of crashes reported to police each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“With so many great technologies available to help consumers have a more enjoyable experience in the car, why not put them to use to keep them safe, too?” said Michelle Krebs, AutoTrader.com senior analyst. “Drivers in high-traffic markets will do well with collision-avoidance features that keep them safe from wild drivers.”

Side blind zone alert is available on the Chevrolet Cruze, Impala, SS, Traverse, Tahoe and Suburban, and may be offered alone or with lane change alert technology. When offered alone, the system uses one left and one right short-range radar – hidden in the rear corners of the vehicle – to monitor up to 11 feet back from the side mirror and one lane over from both sides of the vehicle.

An amber lane change alert icon is lit in the left or right side mirror when a moving vehicle is detected in the side blind zone, and it flashes if a turn signal is activated in the direction of the other vehicle.

A lit icon means it may be unsafe to change lanes. Drivers still need to check mirrors, glance over their shoulder and use turn signals.

“Technologies like side blind zone alert provide an extra set of ‘eyes’ to drivers with limited mobility due to an injury or chronic condition,” said Kiefer. “It’s also helpful to drivers who may find it more difficult to see around head restraints and pillars.”

Rear cross traffic alert has your back

Another available technology that allows drivers to ‘see’ better is rear cross traffic alert, which can help drivers avoid hitting approaching traffic when backing up, such as in a parking lot or where the driveway meets the roadway.

Rear cross traffic alert uses short-range radar on the left and right rear corners of the vehicle. When approaching left- or right-cross traffic is observed, red flashing triangles appear in the rear vision camera screen, and three left or right seat pulses or beeps occur. It’s available on 2015 Cruze, Impala, SS, Traverse, Tahoe and Suburban.

Fender-bender ender?

Using the speed of the vehicle and input from a forward-facing radar mounted in the front grille or camera mounted in front of the rearview mirror, Chevrolet’s available forward collision alert system provides alerts to drivers who approach a vehicle they are following in front of them too quickly. It’s present on 2015 Volt, Malibu, Impala, Equinox, SS, Traverse, Colorado, Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that basic forward collision alert systems have reduced rear-end crashes by 7 percent. Applying the technology across the passenger vehicle fleet could prevent 879 fatal crashes a year.

“Customers can configure our system to adjust the alert to a near, medium or far timing setting” said Kiefer. “Our goal is that our customers leave safety systems on and take full advantage of the potential safety benefits.”

Chevrolet Puts the Show Back into the Auto Show

Interactive display highlights key safety features using state-of-the-art technology

Chevrolet is putting the show back in the North American International Auto Show with an all-new display featuring six 20 ft.-tall, transparent screens with coordinated LED lighting and music that will tell stories about the brand’s cars, trucks and crossovers.

The nine chapters include highlights of Chevrolet’s dependability, performance, belief in the power of play, available in-vehicle Wi-Fi technology through OnStar 4G LTE and others.

“We’ve re-imagined the auto show by putting the show back at the center with state-of-the-art technology,” said Tim Mahoney, chief marketing officer, Global Chevrolet. “The display is designed to connect with attendees and show how the brand continues to Find New Roads.”

The center aisle, or Main Street, features the latest vehicles from Chevrolet – the Corvette Z06, Trax and Colorado, 2015 Motor Trend Truck of the Year^®. Main Street leads to the Chevrolet Theater with a massive, high resolution 73-foot-long, 20-foot tall display, and the latest introduction, the 2016 Chevrolet Volt.

A safety experience in the theater will show how Chevrolet vehicles are designed to prevent, protect and respond to help keep vehicle occupants safe on the road. Next to the theater, virtual reality technology will provide a driving experience of crash avoidance technology like available Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Alert.

During select public days, regional organizations will present ways they are using ingenuity to make a difference in their community during The Possibilities Project feature presentations. Participating groups include United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Greening of Detroit, De-Tread and others.

The public will also have an opportunity to record a 20-second video with their ideas for a better tomorrow and share their video via Facebook, Twitter, e-mail or text.

The display will also make attendees a part of the experience through social media.  Attendees who take photos with My Chevy View in the display can share them through their own social media accounts and may find themselves on the larger-than-life screens.

Honda FCV Concept to Make North American Debut at 2015 North American International Auto Show

• Honda FCV Concept demonstrates the exterior and interior styling evolution of the next-generation zero emissions Honda fuel-cell vehicle
• Next-generation Honda FCV is intended to provide significant gains in packaging, interior space, cost reduction and real-world performance, including an anticipated driving range in excess of 300-miles

The Honda FCV Concept will make its North American debut at the 2015 North American International Auto Show on Jan. 12. Continuing more than a decade of Honda leadership in the area of fuel cell vehicle (FCV) technology, the Honda FCV Concept showcases the styling evolution of Honda's next fuel-cell vehicle, anticipated to launch in the U.S., following its introduction in Japan, which is scheduled to occur by March 2016.

As the next progression in Honda's dynamic FCV styling, the Honda FCV Concept features a low and wide aerodynamic body with clean character lines. The interior strives to achieve harmony between man and machine by taking advantage of new powertrain packaging efficiencies delivering even greater passenger space than the Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle, including seating for up to five people. 

The Honda FCV Concept made its world debut in Japan on Nov. 17, 2014, followed by an announcement that Honda will provide FirstElement Fuel with $13.8 million in financial assistance to build additional hydrogen refueling stations throughout the state of California in an effort to support the wider introduction of fuel-cell vehicles.

Honda Fuel-Cell Vehicle Firsts:
The original FCX became the first EPA- and CARB-certified fuel-cell vehicle in July 2002. The FCX also was the world's first production fuel-cell vehicle, introduced to the U.S. and Japan in December 2002.

Additional highlights include:

• The Honda FCX was the first fuel-cell vehicle to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures (2003).


• The FCX was the first fuel-cell vehicle leased to an individual customer (July 2005).


• With the FCX Clarity, Honda was the first manufacturer to build and produce a dedicated fuel-cell vehicle on a production line specifically made for fuel-cell vehicles (2008).


• Honda was the first manufacturer to create a fuel-cell vehicle dealer network (2008).