Only 15% of Parents Consider Their Childs' Age AND Size When Selecting Child Automobile Restraints; Both Factors Must Be Considered, Auto Safety Experts Say

GARDENA, Calif.--Sept. 25, 2003--As the new school year brings morning carpools and trips to afternoon soccer practice, the importance of child safety in automobiles must be reemphasized with parents. A new survey sponsored by Nissan North America, Inc. indicates that many parents need a refresher course on child passenger safety.

According to the StrategyOne survey, only 15% of parents with children 10 years old and younger consider both their child's age AND size when deciding how to secure them in their automobile. Both factors are essential to proper child restraint and used singly may put the child at risk, says safety experts.

"Many parents don't realize the importance of considering both factors when choosing a safety seat," said Bob Yakushi, Nissan's director of product safety, regulatory, accessory quality, and a certified child passenger safety technician. "For instance, a parent may want to graduate their child to a booster seat when they turn a certain age, but the child may still be too small to ride safely in the booster seat."

The survey also found that while parents overwhelmingly rely on the child seat manufacturers' directions for installing their safety seats, only 39% consult their vehicle owners manuals and a mere 8% ask their dealers. Because many seats fit some cars better than others, caregivers should also consult the car maker or dealer, who can provide information as to the vehicle safety systems equipped in their car.

Other key findings from the survey include:

-- Less than half of the parents (44%) of children age 10 and younger consider the safety seat's safety record when making the decision to purchase a child safety seat.

-- Only one in five parents consults the Internet when it comes to child safety seat or booster seat installation.

To help parents choose the right seat for their vehicles, Nissan developed the Snug Kids(TM) Guide -- a first-of-its-kind resource -- that tells Nissan and Infiniti owners exactly which seats fit best in their particular vehicle. Since its launch in 2001, Snug Kids(TM) remains the only program of its kind in the automotive industry.

In addition to Snug Kids(TM), Nissan developed the Quest for Safety(TM) program in 1997 to educate parents and caregivers in low-literacy communities about child seat safety.

"Nissan understands the importance of parent education, so it developed the safety guides to address proper child seat use and help assist in child restraint selection," said Yakushi. "The survey reinforced that parents have difficulty with the complexities of proper child safety. Diligence is the key -- as their child gets older and grows in size, parents need to continue to assess which of the available seats is best for their child."

Please go to www.nisssanUSA.com and www.infiniti.com for more information.

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.nissanUSA.com or contact the corporate media line at 310-771-5631.