Why are automakers required to put NCAP star ratings on the window sticker prior to sale if its optional?
And why does each state have its own requirements for emissions if you can just go to market and recall afterwards?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash testing is a post-market (i.e after the vehicle goes on sale) assessment, and the star-rating label is merely a shaming tool disguised as a consumer information. No automaker wants to be seen with a
bad or lower rating (especially when compared to competitors) so they all strive to do better. This is the same reason why the publication of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) Poor-Marginal-Acceptable-Good ratings (these tests are better than the USA government's NCAP crash tests) often prompt quick response and correction of bad ratings.
If it were a premarket certification and approval, there would be minimum levels of crashworthiness that all new cars would have to pass before they would be allowed to go on sale, and there would be re-assessments and re-approvals necessary when a significant engineering change (such as the introduction of a new engine, transmission or introduction of AWD).
Aircraft (and all components in them) have to go through long, thorough (and expensive) premarket certifications and approvals before going on sale, and almost-as-thorough re-approvals when changes are made (such as when new engines are introduced). To ease the process of allowing imports to fly in the USA, regulations are greatly harmonized between the USA and Europe, something we don't see in the automotive market.
Differing exhaust emissions standards in different states is something that the American national Environmental Protection Agency allows.
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