Toyota Camry performs poorly in crash test

DETROIT — The Toyota Camry, the best-selling car in the U.S., performed poorly this year in a new crash test and failed to get the best safety rating from an insurance industry group.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Camry a “Poor” rating on a test that measures how well people are protected when the front corner of a car hits another car or an object.

The Camry still did well on the institute’s other four tests and earned a “Top Safety Pick” designation. But it failed to get a “Top Safety PickPlus” rating because of the bad performance on the new “small overlap” test of corner crashes.

Ten moderately priced midsize cars got the institute’s highest rating. They include the Honda Accord, Chrysler 200, Dodge Avenger, Ford Fusion, Kia Optima, Nissan Altima, Subaru Legacy and Outback, Suzuki Kashai and Volkswagen Passat. NEW YORK — When it comes to fat holiday discounts, better late than never.

This holiday shopping season, many stores haven’t been offering the same blockbuster deals as they did last year. Instead, they’ve dangled offers of free shipping and nofee layaways to lure shoppers.

But during the final weekend before Christmas, shoppers should expect to see more “70 percent off” and “buy one, get one free” signs as stores try to salvage a season that so far has been disappointing.

Teen retailer Aeropostale Inc. has slashed prices on everything in its stores by 60 percent. Rival teen chain American Eagle Outfitters is offering 40 percent off all purchases. Saks Fifth Avenue is cutting prices on some designer clothing up to 60 percent. And Children’s Place, a children’s clothing chain, is offering up to 75 percent off on its website.

The sales are aimed at luring shoppers like Jennifer Romanello, who lives in Rockville Centre, N.Y. Romanello, a publicity consultant, is planning to spend $400 less on holiday gifts this season as she