On the Dash:
- GM is using safety as a key differentiator across both mainstream and EV vehicle segments.
- Real-world crash reduction data provides dealers with a strong customer-facing value proposition.
- Affordable models such as the Chevrolet Trax and Chevrolet Bolt demonstrate the growing availability of advanced safety features at lower price points.
As summer travel increases and the “100 deadliest days” for teen drivers begin, General Motors is highlighting its long-standing commitment to vehicle safety and the technologies designed to help prevent crashes and reduce injuries.
GM says safety remains a core value integrated throughout the vehicle development process, from design and engineering to real-world performance evaluation. Regina Carto, Vice President of Global Product Safety, Systems and Certification, said the company places safety at the center of every stage of product development.
A legacy of safety innovation
GM became the first automaker to conduct crash barrier testing in 1934. The company helped create the first standardized crash test dummies in the early 1970s and began using a crash test dummy representing a fifth-percentile female in the 1980s. The automaker says decades of testing with a diverse set of dummies have contributed to industrywide reductions in fatalities and injuries for occupants of all sizes.
For instance, the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse comes equipped with more than 20 standard safety and driver-assistance features. The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt also includes more than 20 standard features, such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Side Bicyclist Alert, and Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking, all starting under $30,000. The 2026 Chevrolet Trax offers Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, and other safety features at a starting MSRP of $21,700.
However, the automaker confirmed it’s expanding access to advanced safety technologies across a broader range of vehicle segments and price levels.
Real-world results
A study by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute analyzed approximately 12 million GM vehicles from model years 2020 to 2024. Researchers matched those vehicles to more than 700,000 police-reported crashes across 18 states.
The study found statistically significant reductions in several crash categories, including:
- Backing crashes: 86%
- Rear-end crashes with injuries: 57%
- Front pedestrian crashes with injuries: 35%
- Roadway departure crashes: 15%
- Lane-change crashes: 13%
Although, the automaker believes the findings demonstrate the effectiveness of its safety technologies in real-world driving conditions.
Safety strategy extends beyond crash prevention
GM combines vehicle technology, safety research, and advocacy efforts as part of a comprehensive safety strategy. The company continues working to improve crashworthiness, occupant protection, and post-crash response for both passengers and first responders. Internally, GM promotes safety awareness through programs such as Speak Up for Safety, which received roughly 4,700 employee submissions in 2025.
As families prepare for summer road trips, GM is emphasizing that advanced safety technology, proven crash-reduction results, and affordable access to safety features remain central to its product strategy.
