DETROIT (Dow Jones)--The head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration praised the auto industry for focusing on improving the safety of passenger cars.

At the North American International Auto Show, Dr. Jeffrey Runge said in the Detroit News Wednesday that he's also impressed by several crossover models, which mix car and sport utility vehicle attributes. Runge has been a prominent critic of SUVs, which are prone to roll over.

The domestic automakers, which have lost some 21% of market share in the passenger car market in the last 10 years, are attempting to regain share in cars. Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F - News) has declared 2004 "The Year of the Car."

"People want utility," Runge told the newspaper. "If they can give them a passenger car with utility, then it will certainly help a lot with their sales. Since we know in fact cars are the safest vehicles designed, it's encouraging to see they are working to get those designs out into the marketplace."

Runge also said NHTSA will revise roof-strength requirements, which have not undergone a major revision since 1973. Light-duty vehicles sold in the United States must be able to hold 1.5 times their own weight without collapsing. NHTSA estimates stronger roofs could help prevent about 3,700 deaths or serious injuries annually.

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