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Automakers Support New Advanced Air Bag Safety Rule

5 May 2000

    WASHINGTON - In response to the announcement made by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration regarding the Advanced Air Bag Rule, Josephine S. 
Cooper, President, of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, issued this 
statement:

    "The new advanced air bag rule announced today by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) significantly advances motor vehicle
safety and is a life-saving victory for passengers of all sizes who ride in
cars and trucks equipped with air bags.  Throughout this rulemaking, Alliance
members have consistently stressed that the new regulation should be a
comprehensive rule that adopts several important requirements: 1) new
out-of-position tests; 2) a new "family" of test dummies representing infants,
young children and small adults; and 3) additional and more stringent injury
criteria that will result in enhanced safety performance.  We are extremely
gratified that these elements have been incorporated into the final rule.

    We are further gratified by the government's decision to adopt our
recommendation that rigid fixed barrier crash testing with unbelted dummies be
conducted at 25 mph.  This decision allows automakers to continue providing
air bag systems designed to provide optimal protection for children,
teenagers, and smaller adults, as well as large passengers.  Alliance members
commend the Department of Transportation and the Clinton Administration for
making fact-based rulemaking decisions grounded in sound science.  Today's
rule will help assure advanced occupant protection for millions of Americans.

    Previously, Alliance members committed to contribute to the NHTSA public
crash investigation database system by providing sufficient resources to
double the number of investigations that can be conducted.  We have made this
commitment so that future rulemaking decisions can continue to be supported on
a data driven scientific basis.  We look forward to working with DOT and the
safety community on this effort.

    As enhancements are made in air bag systems, it is essential that the
nation not lose sight of the need to continue efforts to increase seat belt
use.  Seat belts are the primary passenger restraint system in vehicles.
Alliance members continue to work on increasing belt use and the appropriate
use of child restraints, which both enhances air bag safety and advances motor
vehicle safety.  Alliance members are the principal funders of the Air Bag &
Seat Belt Safety Campaign, which works with NHTSA to help achieve the
President's goals of increasing seat belt use to 85 percent by the end of this
year and 90 percent by 2005.  Government estimates indicate that between
4,000-5,000 lives can be saved each year by achieving these goals."

    The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a coalition of 13 car and
light truck manufacturers.  Alliance member companies have approximately
600,000 employees in the United States, with more than 250 facilities in
35 states.  Alliance members represent more than 90 percent of U.S. vehicle
sales.  For more information, visit the Alliance website at
http://www.autoalliance.org.