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" When Trucks Collide   In crash tests run by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety a group of small sport-utility vehicles performed poorly, according to press reports.   The tests \u2014 which were conducted at the institute&amp;#039;s testing center in rural Virginia, where a 3,500-pound &amp;quot;test sled&amp;quot; with a front end molded into the shape of an SUV is rammed into the side of the test vehicle \u2014 are meant to measure how occupants fare when their vehicles are struck in the side by an SUV or pickup, The New York Times said.   The first tests \u2014 using 11 small sport-utility vehicles as crash targets \u2014 projected serious head injuries for either the driver or front passenger and frequently both, unless the vehicle was equipped with side airbags that offered head protection.   Of the SUVs tested, only two \u2014 the and the \u2014 offer side airbags as standard equipment. Five other compact SUVs offer optional side airbags. Four models don&amp;#039;t have side airbags. In addition to the above, the test vehicles included the Ford Escape, Saturn Vue, Honda CR-V, Honda Element, Jeep Wrangler, Land Rover Freelander, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Mitsubishi Outlander and the Toyota RAV4.   The institute&amp;#039;s new tests also demonstrated the protection that side airbags can offer in side collisions. Only the few vehicles equipped with side airbags designed to provide head protection performed acceptably in the initial tests, the Times noted.   Institute President Brian O&amp;#039;Neill said vehicles without side airbags aren&amp;#039;t doing well protecting occupants in its new crash test. &amp;quot;We want side airbags to be standard equipment,&amp;quot; O&amp;#039;Neill said.   O&amp;#039;Neill also criticized the U.S. government&amp;#039;s side-impact crash test as out of date with today&amp;#039;s U.S. vehicles. The barrier the government uses resembles a 1980 car, O&amp;#039;Neill said, according to the Detroit News.   A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration spokesman said the agency is considering changes to its side-impact testing program, the News said.   Microsoft Upgrades Windows for Cars   Microsoft showed its next generation of software for vehicles recently in Dearborn, Michigan, the Detroit News reported.   Called Microsoft Windows Automotive 4.2, the software is designed to operate entertainment, navigation and safety systems, as well as telematic devices which can can download information from the Internet, send or receive e-mail and make phone calls, the story said.   Microsoft said eight foreign automakers have equipped 18 models with the technology. The 2003 Honda Accord is the latest model using the software to go on sale.   Steve Ballmer, Microsoft&amp;#039;s CEO, said, &amp;quot;I think we have the broadest set of technology to help the auto industry turn (information technology) into a competitive advantage.&amp;quot;   2004 Models on Display at New York Auto Show   &amp;quot;There are more all-new cars and trucks coming to this year&amp;#039;s show than we&amp;#039;ve ever seen before,&amp;quot; said New York Auto Show chairman, John LaSorsa.   Among the new products that will be on display: Mercedes-Benz CLK Cabriolet, Ferrari Challenge Stradale, Nissan 350Z Roadster, Audi RS6, Dodge Viper SRT-10, Mitsubishi Galant, Maybach, Nissan Maxima, Pontiac GTO, BMW Z4 Roadster, Chrysler Crossfire, Cadillac XLR, Audi S4, Bentley Continental GT, Mitsubishi Diamante, Cadillac SRX, Scion xA and xB, Saab 9-3 Convertible, Dodge SRT-4, Dodge Ram SRT-10, Porsche Cayenne, MINI Cooper S, Lexus RX 330, Jaguar XJ.   The show will runs from April 18 to 27. Show hours are, Sundays 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. The show takes place at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, 11 Avenue, between 34 &amp;amp;amp; 39 Streets in Manhattan. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $4 for children under 12. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a9478/when-trucks-collide/>