Minivan Offset Impact Testing - Part 1

I was transferred to Minivan Operations in February 1991 after completing my work on the Dodge-Cummins diesel engine Ram pickup truck:

http://links.veronicachapman.com/PVS-Cummins-ChryslerTimes.pdf

I was added to the mailing list at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) by then-director Brian O'Neill later that year. The issue of offset crash protection was the primary conversation between O'Neill and I during the four years I worked in Minivan Operations.

In 1992 we (Chrysler) became aware that Ford's new minivan, code-named "WIN-88", was being developed with offset protection. I had extensive discussions about this competitive safety challenge prior to and during my later tenure as Chairman of the Chrysler Safety Leadership Team (SLT). In 1993 I funded minivan consumer focus group research to solicit their opinon regarding offset crash tesing and development. The consumer was UNANIMOUS, all wanted their vehicles to protect them in the offset crash mode. Note pages 16 and 17 here:

http://links.veronicachapman.com/Sheridan-CFG-Offset.pdf

On numerous ocassions the SLT recommended to upper and engineering management the the new Chrysler minivan, code-named "NS-Body", be developed with offset impact protection (like the Ford WIN-88, aka Windstar) as a "Priority A" item; see pages 10, 11, 13 and 19 here:

http://links.veronicachapman.com/Sheridan-SLT-23Feb94.pdf

These recommendations were repeatedly rejected by engineering management:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25roI1nhOwI

and upper management:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnfNah2Oijs&feature=

I testified as a "General Automotive Safety Management Expert" (GASME) in the death case of Mohr vs. DaimlerChrysler in January 2005 alleging that management's failure to heed the SLT offset recommendation was a proximate cause to the death of Mrs. Vickie Mohr (see right-most column here):

http://www.juryverdicts.net/TNJune.pdf

Please note pages 20 and 21 here:

http://www.jenner.com/files/tbl_s69NewsDocumentOrder/FileUpload500/5791/Mohr%...

http://memphis.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2005/02/21/daily34.html

The Mohr vs. DaimlerChrysler case was finally settled by the New York Bankruptcy Court on 10Sep2009:

http://www.dayontorts.com/products-liability-products-liability-case-settled....

For those who would like to go-beyond Chrysler public relations rhetoric, and learn the truth about that company's historical thru current approach to safety, I recommend that you download/read the letter I wrote to Attorney General Janet Reno in October 1999:

http://links.veronicachapman.com/Sheridan-to-Reno-1.pdf

You might wish to review the COLORED TAB and TAB 27 as a quick introduction. This readership will introduce you to the stark reality behind the PR machinations about "meets or exceeds all applicable federal safety standards."
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[ece3k]

no its not honda is

[GETRDUN]

Ford has always been a good brand, and today is the safest on the road.

[VALsacount2]

Minivans replaced station wagons because the regulation for them are for trucks, while station wagons were cars, and had to get better milage.