Electronic Stability Control Coalition Launches Auto Safety Website

Online Information Center to Educate Consumers on the Benefits of ESC Systems

Log-on to Learn How to Help Prevent Crashes and Potentially Save Lives

DETROIT, July 29 -- The Electronic Stability Control Coalition today officially unveiled its new website www.esceducation.org. The family-oriented website is the first-ever comprehensive source of information about Electronic Stability Control (ESC), including news, videos, expert opinions, and technical explanations. It is part of the Coalition's national education campaign to increase awareness of the revolutionary automotive safety feature.

ESC is an active safety technology designed to help prevent crashes. The system detects when a driver is about to lose control of a vehicle and automatically intervenes to provide stability and help the driver stay on course.

The easily accessible information on the web site is particularly critical in light of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's recent announcement that U.S. highway fatalities are at a decade-high and have reached epidemic status. The overall number of fatalities increased from 42,196 in 2001 to 42,815 in 2002, with deaths in rollover crashes accounting for 82 percent of that total increase.

  Highlights of the website include:

   * About ESC-Provides information on the technology, how it works, its
     origins, video demonstrations, a list of vehicles equipped with ESC and
     frequently asked questions (FAQs).

   * What The Experts Say-Includes expert opinions on automotive safety.

   * Media Center-Provides ESC Coalition news releases, industry
     information, a fact sheet on ESC, pictures and video graphics of the
     technology and its components.

   * About the Coalition-An overview of the ESC Coalition and its Advisory
     Panel of top automotive safety experts.

   * On the Road-Includes information on Advisory Panel activities, auto
     industry events and news articles about ESC.

"Our website provides consumers with a resource to learn more about this essential safety feature. Once they understand its benefits, we expect more and more people to request ESC when purchasing a new vehicle," said Jim Gill, Chairman of the ESC Coalition.

Recently, an international body of research data confirmed ESC's effectiveness. The independent studies project that ESC can significantly reduce the number of single vehicle crashes, among the most serious kinds of crashes causing deaths and injuries, by 30-35%. Applying this data to the U.S. leads to the revelation that the widespread installation of ESC could potentially save 5,000-6,000 lives annually. Currently, ESC is only on six percent of vehicles built in the United States, compared to more than 30 percent in Europe.

"Studies have shown that ESC saves lives," said Rich Golitko, Vice Chairman of the ESC Coalition. "Making U.S. consumers aware of ESC allows them to realize the same safety benefit enjoyed by drivers in other parts of the world."

Formed in 2003, the ESC Coalition is a joint effort of two of the largest suppliers of electronic stability control systems, Robert Bosch Corporation and Continental Teves. As leaders in the development and manufacture of automotive safety technology, both companies are working together to increase the general awareness of this potentially life saving technology.

ESC Coalition Mission Statement

The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Coalition was formed in 2003 with the mission of educating consumers and other key audiences about the revolutionary active safety technology known as ESC. The ESC Coalition members believe that the widespread installation of ESC systems can play a significant role in helping to prevent crashes on America's roads. The Coalition seeks to increase the public's general awareness of this milestone in automotive safety. Through a national education campaign, the ESC Coalition aims to provide consumers with comprehensive information on ESC, including educational materials, technical data, video demonstrations, industry studies, and news about ESC.

For more information on the ESC Coalition, please visit www.esceducation.org.