Automobile manufacturers are going above and beyond to meet sales quotas as everyone is pretty much in a sales race. But come the huge influx of new models, comes a ripple effect that puts a lot of pressure on the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. And that’s because they have a list consisting of 74 vehicles that will need to be destroyed multiple times in order each individual car to obtain their official crash safety rating.

These 74 cars make up about 92% of the 2012 fleet of new models to launch next year: 42 of them are passenger cars while the remaining are 22 sport utility vehicles, two vans and eight pickup trucks.

“Our 5-star ratings program is a critical resource to help consumers make the best possible decisions about the cars they want to buy,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “By revamping the tests and creating a more rigorous program last year, we raised the bar on safety for all vehicle manufacturers. People should remember: More stars, safer cars.”

To check out the full list of cars, click here.

- By: Chris Chin