Latest News from the CVMA

Canadian automakers introduce important new safety improvements for Canadians.

Toronto, ON – 2003-12-04

Members of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada today announced an initiative to work with Transport Canada to voluntarily market vehicles designed to meet new performance criteria that will significantly improve occupant safety.

The new safety performance criteria have been designed to improve vehicle-to-vehicle crash compatibility and increase occupant protection in the event of frontal and side impacts. The changes, which are also being adopted by manufacturers in the U.S., will result in a range of improvements. To enhance safety in front-to-side crashes, automakers will improve head protection by incorporating features such as newly designed side airbags, airbag curtains and revised side impact structures. To enhance safety in head-on collisions, manufacturers will redesign vehicles to ensure that front structure heights are more closely aligned with each other.

Canadian vehicle manufacturers endorsing these new voluntary criteria include: BMW Canada Inc., DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc., Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, General Motors of Canada Limited, Honda Canada Inc., Hyundai Auto Canada, Kia Canada Inc., Mazda Canada Inc., Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc., Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada Inc., Nissan Canada Inc., Subaru Canada Inc., Suzuki Canada Inc., Toyota Canada Inc., Volkswagen Canada Inc., and Volvo Cars of Canada Ltd.

Mark Nantais, president of the CVMA said, "Canadian vehicle manufacturers continue to make vehicle occupant safety their top priority. These proactive voluntary measures are just the latest in a long line of improvements that will save lives and reduce injuries on Canadian roads."

Other voluntary industry initiatives have included:

	In 2000, a voluntary safety commitment to enhance the performance of side airbags for out of position occupants.
	In 2003, automakers offered to adopt voluntary guidelines to enhance driver focus and minimize distraction when using telematic devices in vehicles.

Bob Armstrong, president of the AIAMC said, "We look forward to working with Transport Canada to ensure these voluntary measures are consistent with Canadian regulations and allow manufacturers to provide common products across North America."

The enhanced safety performance criteria were developed by the automotive industry in cooperation with industry safety experts, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, with participation from Transport Canada, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other international research organizations. The extent of collaboration among all these parties for the development of voluntary action is an industry first.

Today, over one-third of all Canadian vehicle fatalities involve unbelted occupants. Wearing seatbelts properly will maximize the benefits provided by all vehicle safety technologies.

The CVMA has a 76 year history of representing the Canadian automotive industry’s largest manufacturers who account for 75% of all vehicle production in Canada.

The AIAMC represents the interests of fourteen member companies engaged in the manufacture, importation, distribution and servicing of light duty vehicles in Canada.

Contacts:

Mark Nantais
Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association
416.364.9333

Adrian Coleman
Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada
416.595.8251

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