Kevin Ransom from AOL Autos via CNN: Car companies and insurers are working hard to try and reduce the cost of auto repairs and insurance premiums for consumers and some of the development is breathtaking in its innovation. This effort has already led to many new developments in the design of various auto parts and components – which have indeed led to a reduction in repair costs for various auto parts, components and structures. And more advances are on the way: some carmakers have recently ramped up their operations in this area, which should result in greater cost savings in coming years.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that General Motors is recalling 276,729 model year 2009 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Cobalt, HHR, Malibu, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Pontiac G5, G6, and Saturn Aura and Outlook passenger vehicles.

The Saturn Outlook, Saturn Vue, and seventy other vehicles earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick award for 2009. Top Safety Pick recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, and rear crashes based on good ratings in Institute tests. Winners also have to have electronic stability control (ESC), which research shows significantly reduces crash risk.

General Motors and OnStar today launched "Stolen Vehicle Slowdown" on model year 2009 GM vehicles in the US and Canada. Stolen Vehicle Slowdown is the latest enhancement to OnStar's Stolen Vehicle Assistance service and enables OnStar to further help law enforcement in the recovery of subscribers' stolen vehicles, while helping to reduce fatalities and injuries resulting from police chases. Working with law enforcement and utilizing its unique built-in technology, OnStar can remotely send a signal that interacts with the vehicle's engine, gradually slowing it down, aiding in a safe recovery.

Swedish automotive safety system manufacturer Autoliv recently unveiled a new passenger airbag concept that's designed to reduce weight, while maintaining exceptional crash protection. This is achieved by using a unique fabric container for the folded airbag, instead of a conventional steel or plastic housing. The new innovative passenger airbag module was introduced on the 2009 Saturn Outlook, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave.

General Motors' lineup of award-winning crossovers today adds the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick 2008 to the growing list of accolades. The significant safety award results from the GMC Acadia meeting the Institute's highest rating for performance in its demanding front, side and rear impacts in addition to providing standard Stabilitrak, GM's electronic stability control system. The IIHS test results also apply to the GMC Acadia's sister vehicles: the Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook, and soon to be released Chevy Traverse.

I have read many complaints about weight of the 08 Vue, but whatever they did to increase the weight was worth it. All the ruggedness they built into the 2008 Vue saved my wife's life. Friday night at 2200 hours my wife was returning to our home in Big Bear, a mountain community in the San Bernardino Mountains, when she went off the side of a mountain road.

Occupant protection in side impacts of midsize cars is improving as automakers introduce safer designs and add side airbags as standard equipment. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently completed front, side, and rear tests of seven 2008 model midsize cars, both moderately priced and luxury: Chevrolet Malibu, Dodge Avenger, Infiniti G35, Kia Optima, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Altima, and Saturn Aura. All earn the highest rating of good for occupant protection in frontal crashes.

From WRAL TV: Mid-sized cars are getting safer, in part due to side airbag protection, according to a new study released Thursday. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tested seven mid-sized cars, both moderately price and luxury. The cars tested were the Chevrolet Malibu, Dodge Avenger, Infiniti G35, Kia Optima, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Altima and Saturn Aura.

From a body structure designed to manage crash energy to numerous active and passive occupant-protecting technologies, the 2008 Saturn Astra features a comprehensive list of safety systems that make it one of the safest vehicles in its class.