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Tax Refunds Are Well Spent on a Car Feature That Saves Lives

Purchasing Automobiles with Electronic Stability Control Significantly Enhances Driver and Passenger Safety

DETROIT, April 22 -- With tax return season underway, consumers who spend their dollars on automobiles with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) will get a high return on investment. By combining the technologies of anti-lock brakes, traction control, and enhanced lateral stability, ESC detects when a driver is about to lose control of a vehicle and automatically intervenes to provide stability and help the driver stay on course. In a recent study, ESC was shown to increase a driver's control over his or her vehicle by 34%, making the technology a milestone on the path to safer cars.

Electronic Stability Control is an auto safety system that electronically assists drivers in critical driving situations by applying brakes to individual wheels when instability is detected. In light of World Health Organization's recent report on traffic safety -- which finds that road crashes are the second leading cause of death among young people aged 5 to 29 years -- ESC is an invaluable investment for responsible drivers.

In 2004, many major automotive manufacturers have corroborated the importance of this technology by including ESC in their models. ESC comes as a standard feature in all vehicles from Audi, BMW and Mercedes, and select models from Acura, Chrysler, Ford Motor Company (including Volvo), General Motors Corporation (including Saab), Infiniti, Lexus, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Toyota and Volkswagen. It is available as an option in other models, and consumers should ask for ESC when purchasing a new vehicle.

"Electronic Stability Control is a critical car feature to keep in mind for anyone in the market to buy," said Jack Nerad, the former Editor of Motor Trend magazine and current ESC Coalition Advisory Panel Member.

"Drivers concerned about the statistics reported in the World Health Organization's recent report, and committed to reducing the number of hazardous situations on the road, will be reassured by the presence of Electronic Stability Control," said Nerad. "This technology provides them with a safer ride month after month, year after year."

What is ESC:

ESC is a revolutionary active safety technology that uses advances in microelectronics to help drivers maintain control of their vehicle and prevent crashes before they occur. The system detects when a driver is about to lose control of a vehicle and automatically intervenes to provide stability and help the driver stay on course.

ESC is marketed under various trade names, which can be found at www.esceducation.org.

What is the ESC Coalition:

The ESC Coalition was established in 2003 to inform consumers and other key audiences about the benefits of ESC systems. It is a joint effort of two of the largest automotive technology suppliers, Robert Bosch Corporation and Continental Teves. As leaders in the development and manufacture of ESC systems, both companies are working together to increase the general awareness of this potentially life saving technology.

ESC Coalition Mission Statement

The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Coalition was formed in 2003 with the mission of educating consumers and other key audiences about the revolutionary active safety technology known as ESC. The ESC Coalition members believe that the widespread installation of ESC systems can play a significant role in helping to prevent crashes on America's roads. The Coalition seeks to increase the public's general awareness of this milestone in automotive safety. Through a national education campaign, the ESC Coalition aims to provide consumers with comprehensive information on ESC, including educational materials, technical data, video demonstrations, industry studies, and news about ESC.

For additional information on the ESC Coalition, please visit www.esceducation.org.