Mercedes-Benz Issues Response to NHTSA Preliminary Side Airbag Data
21 April 1999
Mercedes-Benz Issues Response to NHTSA Preliminary Side Airbag DataMONTVALE, N.J., April 20 -- Mercedes-Benz USA is issuing this statement in response to preliminary data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding side airbags: "We are very interested in sharing our real-world experience with NHTSA in discussions on the results of these one-time static laboratory tests. We at Mercedes-Benz have four-year's worth of actual, on-road accident data and the results of extensive dynamic testing using actual vehicles, neither of which have shown any indication of increased risk of injury to children. We are confident that our side airbag technology provides significantly increased levels of protection. The technology is both safe and effective. In order to take full advantage of the safety technology in our vehicles, Mercedes-Benz strongly encourages parents to transport children in the rear seat of their vehicle and to ensure that they are properly restrained."