GM launched the first central front airbag system
GM is the first automaker to launch on the market the central front airbag system
• A new safety device designed to protect the driver and front passenger in the event of lateral impact
General Motors is the first automaker to launch on the market a system of front center airbag, which is designed to protect the driver and front passenger when a lateral impact occurs on the opposite side to the one they occupy.
The front center airbag will debut on versions of the model year 2013 midsize crossovers such as the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and the Chevrolet Traverse. This new safety device will be standard on Acadia and Traverse with electrically adjustable seats and all versions of the Enclave.
The new airbag deploys from the right side of the driver's seat and is located between the two front seats, near the center of the vehicle. This special airbag was designed to provide protection in case of collision the passenger side when the driver is alone in the front of the vehicle. It also functions as a cushion energy absorption between the driver and front passenger in the event of collisions, both the driver's side than the front passenger. The new airbag also provide protection in a rollover of the vehicle as a result of a collision.
Analysis that GM has effected from the database of the system of reporting and analysis of fatal accidents of the American administration of the safety of highway traffic, it appears that the impact of the opposite side to the occupant that the central front airbag offers just to protect, are the origin of nearly 11% of deaths that occupants were wearing their seatbelts, recorded between 2004 and 2009. This analysis focused on the accidents that involved vehicles Products since 1999 and which were not to go back. This type of accident, or the occupant is on the side of the vehicle which is not key, is also responsible for 29% of deaths of all passengers who before their belt loop.
"The new central front airbag is not a legal obligation and, at the present time, no other car airbag particular offers to passengers before the type of protection precisely this PROVIDED BY airbag," stated Scott Thomas, engineer of Senior management systems for advanced protection from GM.
It is expected that the new airbag contributes to performance models that team during crash tests. Versions of the model year 2012 midsize crossovers these have already scored five stars safety in the New Car Assessment Program NHTSA, for total protection and protection in lateral collisions. They have also received the distinction in 2011 Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
"The new front center airbag certainly has the potential to save lives in case of lateral collisions," says Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "It should be a GM and Takata recognize the merit of having taken the initiative on this important topic."
GM and technology supplier Takata developed the front center have airbag during these last three years. They tested many variations of the concept in terms of layout area and shape of the airbag and protection it offers in different situations and for different positions of the occupants. Many Elements of the concept of cushion they have patented jointly combine to achieve unique performances of occupant protection, whose morphologies are very different.
"Although no technology airbag can protect all areas of the body or can avoid all potential injuries, the front center air bag is designed to work together with the other airbags and seat belts in the vehicle to thus forming a set of more complete protection, "said Gay Kent, GM executive director for safety and the ability to impact resistance of vehicles. "This demonstrates once again that GM technology continuously devotes to offer maximum protection to the occupants before, during and after an impact. "
