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Firestone Tire Fiasco Sparks Car Safety Boom - just-auto.com Forecasts Car Safety to 2010

27 December 2000

Firestone Tire Fiasco Sparks Car Safety Boom - just-auto.com Forecasts Car Safety to 2010

    LONDON, Dec. 27 http://www.just-auto.com -- Since 1993,
the global vehicle occupant restraint market, worth US$12bn, has grown by an
average rate of 12% each year.  The growth is linked to the ongoing drive to
find safer restraint technology.  Smart airbags that last two inflations,
anticipatory crash sensors, rollover protection, including curtain airbags and
low-level airbags to protect the knees are the latest devices.
    A summary of the exclusive report, 'Global market for airbags and
seatbelts: Forecasts to 2010', at
http://just-auto.com/store/products_detail.asp?art=10813, says that the
Firestone tire recall earlier in the year increased attention of the
fatalities of rollover accidents and has increased uptake on the new safety
systems.
    Indeed, 70% more is spent on car safety today than seven years ago, a
figure that is expected to grow by a further 5% annually as carmakers fit more
safety features as standard and others such as inflatable seatbelts as extras.
    Other issues covered in the report include the future of the smaller
safety manufacturers and challenges such as pedestrian friendly cars with
external airbags.
    "Global market for airbags and seatbelts: Forecasts to 2010" reviews key
market events for airbags and seatbelts, provides future analysis on product
trends and fitment levels for airbags.
    just-auto.com is the premier online portal for automotive industry
professionals worldwide.  Targeted specifically at industry and business
professionals the site provides a single point of reference for independent
automotive industry information.