More Stability, More Control
There was a time when automotive marketing gurus believed that safety did not sell cars but times have certainly changed. No fewer than a remarkable seven out of 10 new vehicles sold in Australia are equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems.
Different manufacturers have their own names for this life-saving technology, but whether it is known as ESC or DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) or by any other acronym, this rose by any other name smells just as sweet!
The latest figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) show 65.6 per cent of new passenger cars and Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) were fitted with ESC – a 12.1 per cent increase in the past year. Not only does safety sell, but buyers are demanding this breakthrough technology. "Manufacturers and motorists have moved quickly to embrace this lifesaving technology and by the end of the year it is likely to be fitted to more than seven out of ten new vehicles,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.
The industry supports moves to have the technology fitted as standard to all passenger cars and SUVs on the Australian market from November 2011.
“ESC offers significant safety benefits and the industry has worked cooperatively with the Federal Government to ensure that this technology becomes available on all new vehicles as soon as possible,” he said.
“It is vital that there are nationally consistent regulations in place for ESC fitting and that these are harmonised as far as possible with international standards,” Mr McKellar said. ESC uses sensors to compare differences between the car’s actual course and the driver’s steering wheel input.
If the onboard computer senses that loss of control is imminent, then the system applies braking to individual wheels to bring the car back to its intended course. Although no technology can change the laws of physics, vehicle stability control must be regarded as one of the greatest road safety developments since the disc brake and the three-point seat belt. Even the world’s best drivers will appreciate having such a system in reserve in much the same way as they welcome anti-lock brakes (ABS).
Parents of newly licensed drivers will have more peace of mind knowing that their children enjoy the added safeguard of vehicle stability control.
