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The first commercial designs were introduced in passenger automobiles during the 1970s, with limited success and caused some fatalities. [3] Broad commercial adoption of airbags occurred in many markets during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Many modern vehicles now include six or more units. [4]
In the European Union, seat belts were only mandatory in vehicles under 3.5 tonnes until a 2003 directive made them mandatory in all vehicles in 2006. The directive also clarifies that seat belts are to be used for children and makes it mandatory to deactivate airbags for the use of rear-facing child restraints.
Lives saved by seat belts and airbags in the United States, 1991–2001. An analysis conducted in the United States in 1984 compared a variety of seat belt types alone and in combination with air bags. [1] The range of fatality reduction for front seat passengers was broad, from 20% to 55%, as was the range of major injury, from 25% to 60%. [1]
However, GM felt not enough were purchased to justify the cost of producing it, so the option was withdrawn after the 1976 model year. The ACRS system was coded as Regular Production Option AR3. GM did not introduce air bags on their automobiles again until the 1988 model year as a $350 option on the Oldsmobile Delta 88. [4]
In 1981, airbags were an available option on the Mercedes-Benz W126 (S-Class). In 1987, the Porsche 944 Turbo became the first car to have driver and passenger airbags as standard equipment, and airbags were offered as an available option on the 944 and 944S. The first airbag was also installed in a Japanese car, the Honda Legend, in 1987. [57]
To save money, Enterprise Rent-A-Car ordered 66,000 Chevrolet Impalas with the standard side curtain airbags deleted, renting them to unsuspecting customers nationwide from 2006-2008 -- a decision ...
1. BMW Isetta. The BMW Isetta was introduced in 1955, and over 160,000 units were made from 1955 to 1962 —it was the top-selling single-cylinder car in the world.
1966–1992 Oldsmobile Toronado—First modern-era American car with front-wheel drive as well as introduced electronic antilock braking system and airbag. [ 72 ] [ 73 ] 1972–present Mercedes-Benz S-Class — Seat belt pretensioner, and electronic traction control system