Press Release

Auto Manufacturers Announce Their Support for Air Bag Safety

11/22/96

AAMA Underscores Commitment to Air Bag Safety


WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The American Automobile
Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and its members, Chrysler ,
Ford and General Motors, today reaffirmed and
underscored their commitment to reduce the risks associated with air
bags for all vehicle occupants, especially children and
smaller-statured adults.  Broader (and proper) safety belt use coupled
with "depowering" air bags -- reducing the speed and force with which
they deploy -- are the best near-term solutions to the challenges we
face today.

"Increasing safety belt use in this country is the single most
important step we can take to improve motorists' overall safety," said
Andrew H. Card, Jr., President and CEO, AAMA.  The air bag is a
supplemental safety device, intended to provide maximum occupant
protection when used with a safety belt, the primary safety device.
In addition, America's Car Companies firmly believe, that depowering
air bags is the best near-term technological step toward decreasing
air bag inflation-induced injuries.  The AAMA-proposed sled test
remains the preferred approach to depowering and will allow it to
occur as quickly as possible.  Automakers are not alone in this view.
In fact, technical and safety experts from around the world gathered
at an air bag technology workshop in Toronto last week and reached the
very same conclusions.

"Chrysler, Ford and General Motors remain dedicated to the development
of smart air bag technology and no near-term solution will slow down,
or in any way, alter that commitment," concluded Card.

AAMA is the trade association whose members are Chrysler Corporation,
Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation.  Visit our site on
the World Wide Web at http://www.aama.com.