ACTS Announces Model Year 2001 Vehicles With LATCH

    ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 13 In recognition of National Child
Passenger Safety Week (February 11-17, 2001), the Automotive Coalition for
Traffic Safety (ACTS) announced today that of the year 2001 vehicles in the
market, at least 62 models have the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children) system as standard equipment.
    The LATCH system provides easy child restraint installation that does not
utilize the vehicle's safety belts to install the child restraint.  This
system is designed to better stabilize the child restraint and reduce the
potential for injury.  The lower anchors are located between the vehicle seat
cushion and the seat back.
    The government currently requires 20 percent of new vehicles to have the
lower anchors.  By September 1, 2002, all new vehicles and child restraints
must be equipped with the LATCH system.
    Fisher-Price and Cosco are currently the only two manufacturers that have
child restraints with LATCH available on the retail market.  The Fisher-Price
Safe Embrace II can be found across the country in Babies 'R Us and Toys 'R
Us.  The Cosco Triad is available through Kmart.
    Britax plans to have a forward-facing only child restraint with LATCH
called the "Expressway ISOFIT" available at a limited number of specialty
retail stores this Spring.  By Fall 2001, Britax will make its popular
convertible seat, "Roundabout" available with LATCH.
    LATCH is the outgrowth of a recommendation made in 1995 by the Blue Ribbon
Panel on Child Restraint and Vehicle Compatibility, chaired by ACTS President
Phil Haseltine.  "The large number of LATCH-equipped vehicles affords more
families early access to this new, easier to use system," Haseltine said.  Of
the 2000 model year vehicles, only six had LATCH as standard equipment.
    The following list from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
shows the 62 MY 2001 vehicles with LATCH, in addition to other models that
list it as optional or available.


                        Model Year 2001 LATCH Vehicles

    PASSENGER CARS
    BMW 3 Series
    Chevrolet Prizm
    Chrysler PT Cruiser
    Chrysler Sebring Sedan
    Ford Focus
    Ford Taurus
    Honda Accord*
    Honda Civic
    Infiniti I30
    Jaguar S-type
    Kia Optima
    Kia Sephia
    Lexus GS 300/430
    Lexus LS 430
    Lincoln LS
    Mazda Protege
    Mercedes-Benz C-Class
    Mercury Sable
    Mitsubishi Galant
    Nissan Maxima*
    Nissan Sentra
    Oldsmobile Alero
    Saab 9-5
    Subaru Legacy
    Toyota Corolla
    Toyota Echo
    Toyota Prius
    Volkswagen Cabrio
    Volkswagen Golf
    Volkswagen GTI
    Volkswagen Jetta
    Volkswagen Beetle
    Volvo V70
    Volvo S60 (Optional)
    Volvo S80 (Optional)


    SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES
    MW X5
    Buick Rendevous
    Ford Escape
    Honda Passport
    Hyundai Santa Fe
    Isuzu Rodeo
    Lexus LX470
    Lexus RX300
    Mazda Tribute
    Mitsubishi Montero
    Mitsubishi Montero Sport
    Pontiac Aztek
    Toyota Highlander
    Toyota Land Cruiser
    Toyota RAV4
    Toyota Sequoia


    PICKUP TRUCKS
    Chevrolet Silverado
    GMC Sierra


    VANS
    Chevrolet Venture
    Chrysler Town & Country Limited
    Chrysler Town & Country LX
    Chrysler Voyager
    Dodge Caravan
    Dodge Grand Caravan
    Ford Windstar
    Honda Odyssey
    Mercury Villager
    Nissan Quest
    Oldsmobile Silhouette
    Pontiac Montana
    Toyota Sienna

    *Available on some vehicles in that model line