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Toyota Announces New Child Safety Seat Anchor System

27 February 1999

Toyota Says 'Think Safety - Buckle Up,' Announces Introduction of Safety Seat Anchor Points

    TORRANCE, Calif., Feb. 27 -- Toyota supports the efforts of
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to require the
adoption of a new universal rigid child safety-seat anchorage system for
passenger cars.
    The adoption of a universal seat anchoring system will provide a secure
attachment for child safety seats and reduce the chance for improper
installation.  Toyota will begin installing this new system in select vehicles
in the U.S. and other major markets beginning with the 2001 model year.
Phase-in will continue in following model years on all of its vehicle lines.
    In addition, Toyota will install top-tether anchors and hardware on an
accelerated schedule beginning in late-1999, in the U.S. and Canada.  This
will provide an additional, easy-to-use seat anchor location.
    "Toyota is a leader in the area of vehicle-occupant safety," said Jim
Press, senior vice president and general manager, automotive operations, for
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.   "We have worked closely with NHTSA on the
development of the standard, and applaud their efforts.  We look forward to
providing our customers with the added benefits and protection this system
will provide."
    Throughout its history, Toyota has taken a leadership position in the
development of passenger-, and specifically, child-safety features.  In the
late 1970s, Toyota first installed child-proof rear door locks that disabled
the inside door handle, making it impossible for a child to open the rear
doors from inside, but allowing them to be opened from the outside in an
emergency.  In 1994, the company began installing automatic locking retractor
(ALR) seatbelts which eliminated the need to use a locking clip when securing
a child safety seat.
    Today, all Toyota and Lexus models incorporate both of these features.
And should a customer have an older non-ALR-equipped model, they can obtain a
free locking clip by calling Toyota's Customer Assistance Center at
1-800-331-4331.
    In 1997, Toyota first made available an optional built-in child safety
seat.  Today, both the Corolla sedan and Sienna minivan offer the added safety
and convenience that a permanently installed seat provides.
    Also installed on all Lexus, and select newer-generation Toyota models, is
a sensor in the front passenger seat that determines whether the seat is
occupied.  If the seat is occupied, and the seatbelt is not buckled, a "fasten
passenger seatbelt" warning light is illuminated.
    "All Toyota and Lexus seatbelt systems are designed to minimize injury to
occupants of all ages in all types of crashes," said Press.  "But they work
only when used properly.  We hope that NHTSA's new child seat standards will
help more parents to understand that seatbelts and safety seats save lives --
and use them."