The Nation - News from Aug. 20, 1985

It is safer to drive large American automobiles than small Japanese models because bigger cars afford more protection against injuries and sustain less damage, according to a study by the Highway Loss Data Institute. The study, based on model years 1982 to 1984, said models with the worst injury and vehicle damage losses are the Nissan Pulsar, Mitsubishi Cordia and Plymouth Colt two-door, which is made by Mitsubishi. It said that models with the best results in both categories are the Oldsmobile 88, Buick LeSabre, Mercury Grand Marquis and Chevrolet Caprice, all four-door autos.