Volkswagen will make its Electronics Stabilization Program (ESP) standard fare on all of its vehicles starting in the 2009 model year, the company announced Thursday. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires all vehicles sold in the U.S. to be equipped with a similar system by no later than 2012, and VW is the first non-luxury maker to do so.
According to NHTSA estimates, nearly 10,000 lives could be saved each year if all new vehicles came with an active safety feature such as and electronic driving aid, which is why it’s mandating it.
The ESP system in VW’s cars helps to avoid oversteer and understeer conditions and keep the driver in control, by braking individual wheels thanks via the ABS and its sensors, regulating engine power via VW’s ASR electronic traction control system, as well as the company’s Electronic Differential Lock system, another form of traction control in split-traction conditions.
“ESP has been available on all Volkswagens in the US for several years. Now, making ESP standard across our entire line reinforces Volkswagen’s commitment to safety for all our customers,” said Volkswagen of America, Inc. CEO, Stefan Jacoby.
03/06, 2:44 PM
posted by:
SwerveEarly
Considering 99.9% of their cars are bought buy women, this is way overdue.
03/06, 3:12 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
I’d like to install a Phaeton into my garage.
03/06, 3:22 PM
posted by:
jonmiles
lol @ swerve early… so true
03/06, 3:23 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Oh gee, this will make me want to buy a VW……..NOT!!!!!
03/06, 3:26 PM
posted by:
Stridder44
Wow lots of people drinking haterade.
03/06, 3:31 PM
posted by:
Fletch
Being sideways is a good thing…
03/06, 4:00 PM
posted by:
RicardoHead
According to my estimates, nearly 40,000 lives a year could be saved by eliminating cars altogether, but as long a LarvaPenis ends up amongst the dead soon I am willing to sacrifice the other 39,999 people too for the public good.
03/06, 4:23 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Damn straight Fletch. If I’m sideways it’s because I’ve chosen to be sideways.
03/06, 5:08 PM
posted by:
Get Real
How about installing Quality Control.
That would help sales a lot more.
03/06, 8:53 PM
posted by:
Mat
Its strange… In Asia/Europe anyday VW’s reputation for quality is miles ahead of that of Ford or GM or even some of the Japanese manufacturers. They are actually a tad more premium to own than almost all Japanese. It seems in State side its the otherway. Have seen almost all models of VW. Anyday I find them much better engineered than Honda/Toyota etc. All of them were made in Germany though…
03/06, 9:31 PM
posted by:
A4
swerve early is a retard
03/06, 9:44 PM
posted by:
bigp
thats good but an little late
03/06, 10:49 PM
posted by:
autonut
When stability control module will be installed on mexican factory it will stop air conditions from working and will prevent sunroof from closing on a rainy day. But it will not prevent car from flipping over.
03/07, 12:32 AM
posted by:
AxeHead
Germans need stability control on all their vehicles to prevent beer drinking Octoberfestidians from falling over.
03/07, 8:01 AM
posted by:
livelyjay
Could they install some reliability as well?
03/07, 11:36 AM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
Oh boy more options included in the price to pay.
03/07, 11:38 AM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
Hah I agree with Lively Jay! You would think Germans would get Quality and Reliability since they are such perfectionists but I guess the Japanese learned first.
03/07, 5:02 PM
posted by:
RicardoHead
Mat, it seems most of the immigrants I see coming to the USA buy Toyotas and not VW’s. If your contention is correct, that outside the USA VWs rule, then the immigrants would jump on them, but oddly they don’t, which leads me to believe there is an error in your contention.
03/09, 12:02 AM
posted by:
Get Real
German managers in Mexico can’t make quality happen ????
Do you think German’s are that stupid ??
Wait a minute on that…they started 2 world wars.