2004 Detroit Auto Show: New Safety Features Get Some Press

DETROIT January 5, 2004; Dee-Ann Durbin writing for the AP reported that safety features are never the talk of the North American International Auto Show, where the buzz is about horsepower and eye-catching design. But manufacturers have added plenty of safety features to their new models, from the rollover protection system in Infiniti's QX56 to the energy-absorbing steering column in Ford's Freestyle crossover. They're hoping consumers notice, even though safety features are something no one ever wants to use.

"These are not cheap technologies. We've got to make people aware" so there's more incentive for research, said Mark Chernoby, vice president of advanced vehicle engineering at DaimlerChrysler AG, as he stood next to a strip of ultrasound sensors on the back of Chrysler's Town and Country minivan. The sensors can detect things when the vehicle is moving slowly, he said, but will need more development before they can work at any speed.

Many new models meet a federal mandate to include weight sensors in the front passenger seat. If a passenger is too small, the air bags must turn off or deploy lightly. Twenty percent of new models must have that feature this year; all vehicles must have the sensors by 2006.

Volvo is introducing the Intelligent Driver Information System on its $25,000 S40 sedan, which will go on sale this spring. The system monitors the driver's actions and diverts incoming telephone calls if conditions are difficult. It also blocks vehicle-related distractions such as the engine light.

Bjorn Lofving, Volvo's safety manager, said the company wants to see how drivers respond to the system before taking it further. For example, it could be used to lower the radio if driving gets tough.

"The question is, how far can we go?" Lofving said.

Volvo is showing off a future system at the auto show that will flash a bright light onto the windshield and apply the brakes if the vehicle is approaching something too quickly. The company also is developing a head-level air bag system for convertibles.

Electronic stability control systems, which can help prevent crashes by applying brakes to individual wheels to keep a vehicle on track, are becoming more prevalent as a standard option. Until now, the systems have mostly been standard only on luxury vehicles or on vehicles sold in Europe.

Volkswagen AG's new Golf R32 has standard stability control, as does the 2005 Toyota Highlander hybrid sport utility vehicle. Both will sell for around $29,000. Stability control remains an option on many U.S. vehicles, but it's standard on Chrysler's Crossfire coupe and 300C sedan, both new this year.

Infiniti's new $50,000 QX56 sport utility vehicle has standard stability control as well as a side-curtain air bag that drops from the ceiling over all three rows. Infiniti says the QX56 is the only full-size SUV with that standard feature.

If the QX56 senses it's going to tip over, it tightens occupants' seat belts and fires the curtain air bags as well as air bags on the sides and front of the vehicle.

"I think there's a heightened awareness generally about side-impact safety," said Robert Yakushi, director of safety for Nissan North America. Nissan's Quest minivan also has standard side-curtain air bags.

DaimlerChrysler's Chernoby said side-curtain air bags are standard on some models but optional on others. But Chrysler and Dodge do have one standard new air bag starting this year, which protects the knees in case of a crash.

Ford Motor Co.'s Freestyle, which is built on a similar frame to the Volvo XC90, has several patented structural elements to improve safety, engineer Jan Vulcan said.

During a crash, the Freestyle's steering column can take in various levels of energy, depending on the driver's position. A portion of the Freestyle's front axle also is designed to collapse in a crash, which helps absorb energy.

Like many vehicles at the auto show, the Freestyle has seat belts that tighten in a crash. But the Freestyle's belts also give the occupants a little slack right afterward, so they can better withstand the forward motion after a crash.

North American International Auto Show, CLICK4 DETROIT SHOW