Distributors Who Continue to Sell Illegal Metal Bull Bars Face Imprisonment

WOLVERHAMPTON, England, April 12 -- From 25th May 2007, Minister of State for Transport has confirmed it is illegal to continue to manufacture and sell metal bull bars that do not comply with the new EU legislation (Directive 2005/66/EC) for pedestrian protection. The maximum penalty to be imposed within the UK is 12 months in prison and a substantial GBP20,000 fine.

The new legislation requires Frontal Protection Systems (FPS) to enhance the safety of vehicles and applies to products either fitted as original equipment or sold via the aftermarket. It will be impossible for wrap around metal bull bars to meet the strict new standards, so the legislation will effectively ban these products while endorsing new energy absorbing FPS products.

According to the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA), only one UK manufacturer is known to have developed a non-rigid FPS that complies with the requirements of the May legislation - this product is known as the Endura FPS (http://www.endura-fps.com).

Automotive manufacturer and supplier, Concept Mouldings (http://www.conceptmouldings.co.uk) has produced this revolutionary aftermarket product. Testing based on the 2005/66/EC legislation, carried out at MIRA (one of Europe's leading vehicle design, development and certification centres), has proven to make 4x4s, SUVs and LCV's (light commercial vehicles) up to 50 times safer. All EC approved test data and video footage can be viewed at http://www.frontalprotectionsystems.eu.

In the build up to May 25th, more Endura FPS products will be tested and available for small, medium and large vehicles. Popular brands such as Toyota, Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Ford will have aftermarket products approved for sale under the Endura banner.

Statistics produced by the UK's Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) reveal why the new EC legislation and the Endura FPS can make a major breakthrough in pedestrian safety. More than 900 UK and 12,000 European pedestrians and cyclists are killed every year and more than 9,000 and 290,000 respectively are seriously injured. The Endura FPS absorbs massive amounts of energy on impact, protecting pedestrians and cyclist from hard parts of vehicles such as engine, bonnet leading edge and radiator. The introduction of Endura and the May legislation will reduce the staggering number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads today, which has also been applauded by Thatcham.

"Thatcham welcomes this new legislative change which will go a very long way to removing these potentially life-threatening bull bars from Britain's roads. Thatcham looks forward to seeing the new Frontal Protection Systems on Britain's vehicles which meet the requirements of the new EC legislation, reduce damage, but which do not endanger vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists" said Andrew Miller, Director of Research, Thatcham.

Notes to Editors

1. An Endura FPS can now be purchased online at the Endura Webstore - www.endura-fps.com.

2. Within the 2010 to 2012 timeframe, all motor manufacturers that want to sell vehicles in the EU will have to incorporate systems that enhance pedestrian safety into their frontal designs.