59 Percent of New Registered Cars in the UK Feature ESP

According to recent data released by Bosch, in the first six months of 2009 the share of newly registered passenger cars in the UK featuring the ESP active safety system increased to 59 percent compared with 2008. Furthermore, Bosch thinks this will improve in the next few months, since several manufacturers have made ESP standard equipment in new models for the first time in 2009.

Moreover, an EU regulation passed in 2009, which will take effect from November 2011, stipulates that all new passenger-car and commercial-vehicle models must be equipped with this active safety system. This will apply to all new vehicles from November 2014.

In addition, the new EuroNCAP star rating, introduced in February 2009 now includes ESP. In 2010, Bosch will start series production of generation 9 brake control systems. Bosch engineers have been able to reduce the weight and size by up to 30 percent as compared to the previous version.

“Particularly in winter it is essential to avoid crashes by skidding, and ESP vehicle active safety technology is a proven life saver in these conditions. We urge new car buyers to choose cars fitted with electronic stability control either as standard or as an option before other extras such as alloy wheels or iPod connections are considered,” Edmund King, AA (Automobile Association) President said.

The share of vehicles equipped with ESP rose in nearly every European country. Italy, for example, rose by four percentage points to 55 percent, while the figure for Spain rose to 69 percent. Only France has recorded a similar development to Germany and posted a decline.