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Auto Recyclers Achieve Victory in New York Airbag Ruling

8 May 2000

Auto Recyclers Achieve Victory in New York Airbag Ruling; Court Rules That Salvaged Airbags Can Return to the Market

    FAIRFAX, Va., May 8 The professional automotive recyclers
industry was granted an injunction in New York's Supreme Court this week, as
the court ruled that automotive recyclers may sell recycled, undeployed
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) airbags to consumers. In the ruling, the
court found the New York Department of Motor Vehicles interpretation of a
prior law did not match the New York State legislature's intent to allow the
sale and installation of recycled airbags to consumers.
    The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) has stood by the use of
undeployed, recycled OEM airbags as viable, economical and safe alternatives
to the use of new, more costly OEM airbags when properly evaluated, handled,
shipped and professionally installed. "We believe this is a cost effective
option for a consumer," said Bill Steinkuller, Executive Vice President of
ARA, "but, more importantly, we also believe that this is a perfectly viable
alternative as well."
    Recently, ARA conducted comprehensive safety tests on recycled, undeployed
OEM airbag modules. These static tests were conducted on five new OEM units,
as well as 195 recycled modules. Both groups deployed within acceptable
limits. "This test has only reinforced what we already suspected. Hopefully,
it assures consumers as well." Steinkuller said.