The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers Supports the New World Health Organization Road Safety Initiative

ARLINGTON, Va., April 7 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) today unveiled a new initiative called "Road Safety is no Accident!" to celebrate World Health Day 2004. The international automotive manufacturers represented by AIAM are pleased to join with the U.S. Department of Transportation in support of this important project. Designed to draw attention to the growing but preventable problem of road traffic injuries, WHO officials and senior government leaders launched the initiative in Paris, France and released a new WHO/World Bank "World Report on Road Traffic Injury Prevention."

In the United States, death rates from road traffic injuries are among the lowest in the world. Further improvements in traffic safety require a partnership between the public and private sectors and individual road users. AIAM members are committed to working with the U.S. government to improve vehicle safety, and will continue efforts to improve vehicle safety. Examples include the commitment by AIAM members to improve crash compatibility for vehicles on U.S. roadways by incorporating new voluntary performance criteria as well as their financial support for the National Safety Council's campaign to raise seat belt use rates and reduce impaired driving.

Motor vehicles provide many and varied benefits to society. Among other things, they provide individuals with access to a wider choice of jobs, medical care and social activities. The efficient transportation of people and goods also supports broad-based economic and social development. World Health Day 2004 thus provides a unique opportunity to raise public awareness of the health implications and societal costs of road traffic injuries in countries around the world. While road safety priorities may differ country by country, AIAM and the WHO agree that the number of road traffic injuries can be reduced by focusing sustained attention on this critical issue. AIAM members are pleased to take part in the dialogue prompted by World Health Day 2004 and will continue to support initiatives to improve vehicle safety.

The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) is a trade association representing 14 international motor vehicle manufacturers who account for 40 percent of all passenger cars and 20 percent of all light trucks sold annually in the United States. AIAM members have invested over $26 billion in U.S.-based production facilities, have a combined domestic production capacity of 2.8 million vehicles, directly employ 75,000 Americans, and generate an additional 500,000 U.S. jobs in dealerships and supplier industries nationwide. AIAM members include Aston Martin, Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia, Maserati, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota. AIAM also represents original equipment suppliers and other automotive-related trade associations. For more information, visit our website at www.aiam.org.