The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and High Country and the GMC Sierra and Sierra Denali 1500 have been accorded the highest possible five-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety.

They became the first pickup trucks to receive the top rating since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) changed its New Car Assessment Program for the 2011 model year.

NHTSA only tested the crew cab models of Silverado and Sierra. Chevrolet and GMC expect crew cab models to account for 60 per cent of their 2014 light duty full-size pickup truck sales.

“Safety is as important to truck buyers as it is to car buyers,” said Gay Kent, GM general director of Vehicle Safety and Crashworthiness.

“Silverado and Sierra set a benchmark for pickup truck safety by offering a full array of advanced features designed to protect occupants before, during and after a collision.”

Silverado and Sierra offer fully boxed frames, extensive use of high-strength steel, and several segment-exclusive safety features are available, including forward collision alert, lane departure warning, and safety alert seat, a statement said. – TradeArabia News Service