Volkswagen announced that it would join other automakers, including Ford, in making electronic stability control standard on all its vehicles in the 2009 model year. This puts it well ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2012 deadline for all vehicles to be equipped with stability control standard.
NHTSA estimated that making stability control standard could save as many as 10,000 lives each year on the road.
Stability control goes by many names, depending on automaker, but Volkswagen calls its version Electronic Stabilization Program. Like other stability control systems, it helps drivers maintain control of their vehicle in abruptly changing driving situations.