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Alliance Supports Side Air Bag Testing Enhancements

22 June 2000

Alliance Supports Side Air Bag Testing Enhancements

    WASHINGTON - Josephine S. Cooper, President and CEO, Alliance of Automobile 
Manufacturers released this statement in conjunction with today's Side Air Bag 
Out-of-Position Injury Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting in Washington, D.C.
seeking critical review from interested parties on draft uniform test procedures 
for assessing side air bag -- occupant interactions with particular attention 
to out-of-position occupants:

    "At the request of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
Alliance members, in cooperation with the Association of International
Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) and the Automotive Occupant Restraints Council
(AORC) have been working over the past year to develop recommended uniform
test procedures for side- and head-protection air bags, with particular
attention to out-of-position occupants. This activity is being chaired by the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an organization independent
from the auto industry and its suppliers.

    "As background, NHTSA has been tracking real-world side air bag cases to
monitor the extent of any injuries involving side air bags. To date
approximately 50 cases involving side air bags have been investigated. The
field performance data from these investigations show that side air bags
increase protection. The objective of the TWG has been to build on this
positive experience and enhance the safety of side air bags by defining
standardized test procedures to assure that even in the rare event that an
occupant is out-of-position at the time of deployment, the risk of serious
injury is very low.

    "An important element of the TWG's deliberations is the critical review of
the draft procedures by other public organizations interested in motor vehicle
safety (a list of the organizations invited to review the draft follows). We
look forward to receiving input from these organizations. Once the procedures
are finalized, Alliance members will be able to determine implementation
timing and other implementation issues outside the scope of the charge given
to the TWG. Alliance members have supported the TWG's efforts and have made
the commitment to design future side air bags according to the recommended
procedures.

    "The process followed by the TWG was the right process for moving ahead
with the application of advanced technology. It has involved the right parties
at key points during the development process, resulting in the right safety
priorities being set. We believe these are the right procedures to evaluate
and help reduce the inflation injury risk of side air bags, while still
providing air bags that are effective in side-impact crashes. All of the
individuals and organizations who provide comments today will be helping to
advance motor vehicle safety."

    The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a coalition of 13 car and
light truck manufacturers. Alliance member companies have approximately
600,000 employees in the United States, with more than 250 facilities in 35
states. Alliance members represent more than 90 percent of U.S. vehicle sales.
For more information, visit the Alliance website at http://www.autoalliance.org.

           Side Airbag OOP Injury Technical Working Group Invitees
                   Technical Review Meeting, June 22, 2000

    Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
    Airbag and Seatbelt Safety Campaign
    American Academy for Pediatrics
    American Automobile Association
    American Trauma Society
    Aprica U.S.A., Inc. (Child Seat Manufacturer)
    Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety
    Britax Child Safety, Inc. (Child Seat Manufacturer)
    Center for Auto Safety
    Century Products Co. (Child Seat Manufacturer)
    Chicco USA, Inc. (Child Seat Manufacturer)
    Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia
    CIREN Centers
    Consumers Union
    Cosco Inc. (Child Seat Manufacturer)
    Duke University
    Evenflo Co., Inc. (Child Seat Manufacturer)
    Fisher-Price (Child Seat Manufacturer)
    George Washington University Hospital
    Graco Children's Products (Child Seat Manufacturer)
    Harvard Center for Risk Analysis
    Johns Hopkins University
    Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc. (Child Seat Manufacturer)
    Medical College of Wisconsin
    National Association of Governor's Highway Safety Representatives
    National Safe Kids
    National Safety Council
    National Transportation Safety Board
    Parents for Safer Airbags
    Public Citizen
    Rand International (Child Seat Manufacturer)
    Safeline Corporation (Child Seat Manufacturer)
    Side Impact IHRA, Federal Office of Road Safety, Australia
    University of Michigan Traffic Research Institute
    University of Virginia Auto Safety Lab
    Wayne State University