[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]GM Korea’s Alpheon sedan came on top of 2011 Safest Car of the Year awarded by the Korean Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs. The Chevrolet Orlando came in third, while the Chevrolet Aveo also made the list of safest cars in Korea.

The Safe Car of the Year award, now in its third year, is given to vehicles that achieve an overall score of 50 or more (out of 54) and five stars in every category in Korea New Car Assessment Program (KNCAP) testing conducted by the Korean ministry.

This year, KNCAP crash tests were carried out on 11 passenger cars that were launched in the second half of 2010 and the first half of 2011. Eight categories of crash tests were done: frontal crash, frontal offset crash, side crash, pole side crash, whiplash, pedestrian protection, rollover and brake test.

The Alpheon was the first car to achieve a perfect score from KNCAP, which has been assessing vehicle safety since 1999. More than 70 percent of the Alpheon’s body is constructed of high-strength steel. Its premium safety features include eight air bags, active headrests, dual seatbelt pretensioners and locking tongue belts.

“Offering the safest products is an important achievement for GM Korea. We have made customer satisfaction and safety our top priority,” said GM Korea President and CEO Mike Arcamone. “Our latest accolade is thanks to the hard work of GM Korea’s employees, who have been working day and night to build vehicles that are leaders in safety and quality.”

The Orlando Active Life Vehicle and Aveo small car also achieved five stars in 2011 EuroNCAP testing. In the United States, the Alpheon (sold as the Buick LaCrosse), Aveo (sold as the Chevrolet Sonic) and Chevrolet Cruze were 2012 Top Safety Picks of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.