PRESS RELEASE

Automakers Welcome NHTSA Air Bag Ruling

17 March 1997

    WASHINGTON, March 14 -- The American Automobile Manufacturers
Association (AAMA) and its members -- Chrysler, Ford and General Motors --
today welcomed the government's decision to allow depowered air bags in the
U.S. "This is a critical step forward for safety," said Andrew H. Card, Jr.,
President and CEO, AAMA.  "Today's ruling allows Chrysler, Ford and General
Motors to provide even safer air bag systems to consumers in the 1998 model
year."
    Existing Federal safety standards require an air bag to protect an
unbelted average-sized male in a 30 mph barrier crash, effectively determining
the aggressivity of today's air bags.  Depowered air bags will deploy with
significantly less force -- roughly 20 to 35 percent less.
    However, with or without an air bag -- depowered or not -- wearing a
safety belt is still the single most important step toward maximizing occupant
safety in a vehicle.  This will remain true no matter how advanced air bag
technology may become.
    In August of last year, AAMA petitioned the government to allow for
depowering.  Then in November, in an unprecedented consensus, technical and
safety experts from the world's automakers as well as the insurance and
supplier industries concluded that depowering would result in significant
safety gains for vehicle occupants, particularly children and smaller-statured
adults.
    "Depowered air bags are right for America, right now.  We're pleased that
the government has recognized the merits," added Card.  "We're well on our way
to even safer air bags and further enhanced overall vehicle safety."
    AAMA is the trade association whose members are Chrysler Corporation
, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation
. Visit the Association's site on the World Wide Web at
http://www.aama.com.

SOURCE  American Automobile Manufacturers Association