Nissan Expands Automated Braking in U.S.

Nissan Motor Co. says it will equip two-thirds of the 2018 model vehicles it sells in the U.S. with a standard system that apply the brakes automatically in an emergency.

Nissan currently offers the technology on some models as part of trim packages that cost $7,000 or more. Twenty carmakers have voluntarily agreed to standardize so-called automatic emergency braking systems in the U.S. by 2022.

The devices use radar to check for potential collisions with a vehicle ahead. If the system in the trailing car determines that a crash is imminent and the driver is not applying the brakes strongly enough, it intervenes by braking heavily to reduce the impact speed or avert a collision entirely.

Nissan says the move will double the number of cars it sells with the technology to 1 million units next year.

U.S. safety officials estimate automated braking could reduce traffic injuries as much as 35%. Nissan says it will make the technology standard on next year’s Altima, Maxima and Sentra sedans and Murano, Pathfinder, Rogue and Rogue Sport SUV/crossover vehicles.