General Motors Co. said Thursday it will phase out cars without air bags and other safety features after its Chevrolet Sail subcompact flunked a crash test in Latin America.
The Latin New Car Assessment Program - an independent testing organization - said Thursday the Sail received zero stars in its latest tests. The organization said the Sail is unstable and has no air bags. It also lacks three-point seat belts in all positions.
The Sail is made in China and exported to emerging markets. It has a starting price of less than $10,000. It's one of several Chevrolet cars that have done poorly on the tests. The Aveo, Spark and Agile cars without air bags also have gotten zero stars on Latin NCAP's tests. Many other brands - including Chery, Geely, Hyundai, Nissan, Fiat and Renault - also sell cars that have gotten zero stars in the group's crash tests.
Earlier this year, GM CEO Mary Barra defended selling cars without air bags in markets that don't require them, saying they're more affordable for low-income buyers.
