AH: Cars get airbags much earlier, GM's ACRS system is commercially successful

[drocca1992]

Introduction

The point of divergence from OTL is late 1973, and this timeline concerns the United States automotive market.
For the 1974 model year, General Motors introduced the Air Cushion Restraint System (ACRS) as an option on certain Buick, Oldsmobile, and Cadillac models.
ACRS was the first airbag system put into production vehicles that normal consumers could buy, and featured dual front airbags designed to protect all three front passengers (most cars that ACRS was available on had front bench seats). It cost about $200 ($1,343 in today's dollars) and was marketed as both a safety feature and a convenience feature; the federal government had mandated that all 1974-model cars have an interlock system that prevented starting the car unless the front seat belts were fastened, unless the car had a "passive restraint" (a restraint designed to provide crash protection without action from the occupants, such as airbags or automatic seat belts). The ACRS was the only passive restraint offered at the time IOTL; all other vehicles had the much-hated seat belt interlock system. In fact, ACRS-equipped cars had only front lap belts (the airbag was intended to replace the shoulder belt; the lap belts were primarily for protection in non-frontal crashes)

IOTL, ACRS was commercially unsuccessful. Only 10,000 cars were sold with it in the three model years it was available (1974-1976), and when GM redesigned its full size car platform in 1977, there was no provision for airbags.

Here is a 10-minute promotional video from 1974 explaining the ACRS.
ITTL, however, ACRS is commercially successful from Day 1, being ordered by a majority of buyers (around 60% to start out), and GM has adequate production capacity and markets the system much more heavily than they did IOTL.

1974 Model Year
The models equipped with the ACRS this year will be the same as they are IOTL; other manufacturers haven't yet had time to introduce their own airbag-equipped models ITTL. That means that the Buick Riviera, Electra, and LeSabre, Oldsmobile Toronado, Delta 88, and 98, and Cadillacs. Convertibles and limousines did not have ACRS availability.
For the 1974 model year, 20,129 Rivieras, 99,414 Electras, 94,126 non-convertible LeSabres, 117,877 non-convertible Delta 88s, 70,556 98's, 27,582 Toronados, and 242,330 Cadillacs (of which a few thousand were convertibles/limousines) were produced, for a total of 672,014 (minus a few thousand) eligible vehicles.

About 8.8 million cars were sold in total in the USA in 1974. ITTL, 304,594 ACRS-equipped vehicles are sold for the 1974 model year, despite it only being available for 9 months of the model year (Dec. 1973 - Sept. 1974). This means that over 3% of 1974-model vehicles come with ACRS, a great start. On April 23, 1974, GM announces that the 1975 Chevrolet Caprice, Impala, and Bel Air, which are on the same platform as the existing models with ACRS, will have the system as a $175 option. They also announce that all 1975 Cadillacs will have ACRS as standard equipment.
Other manufacturers take note.
Ford - Ford equipped a few Mercury Montereys with a passenger airbag for insurance fleets in 1972, so they have some experience with airbags.
April 26th - They announce optional dual airbags on full-size Fords for 1975 models, due to go on sale in October 1974. The Ford LTD, Custom, Mercury Monterey, Marquis will get optional dual airbags; they will be standard on the facelifted 1975 Lincoln Continental. Like GM, they only equip the airbag-equipped cars with lap belts.
Volvo
May 14th - Volvo announces that its new 200-Series, due to go on sale as a 1975 model, will have a driver airbag standard, along with 3-point seat belts. Volvo defends their decision, stating that their 3-point seat belt system provides just as much protection for passengers as a lap belt and airbag would. They also state that their internal research has shown that passenger airbags can be dangerous to children, and that they're developing an improved passenger airbag system that will be available in a couple years.

Although only Ford and Volvo announce airbag availability on specific models this year, other manufacturers - including Chrysler, AMC, and even Datsun and Toyota - state that they are researching airbag systems and will include them on cars in the near future.

Late in the model year, IIHS does a series of 35-mph front crash tests comparing a GM ACRS-equipped Buick Electra to its competitors, the Mercury Marquis, Chrysler Newport, AMC Ambassador, and a non-ACRS equipped Electra. Seat belts are buckled for all occupants. The test results are released on July 16, 1974, and the ACRS-equipped Buick passes with flying colors for both occupants; no serious injuries would be expected. The other four fail the test, with severe injuries expected to their occupants. This series of crash tests only further increases the demand for airbag systems.

By August 31, 1974, the close of the 1974 model year, over 250 lives have been saved by the ACRS system. One of these cases made headline national news on March 25, 1974, and a few others have also gotten widespread reporting; most have been been on the local news near where the crashes occurred.

https://www.automobile-catalog.com/production/buick/full-size_buick_7gen.html#gsc.tab=0

https://www.automobile-catalog.com/production/oldsmobile/88_7gen.html#gsc.tab=0

1971-1978 Oldsmobile Toronado

The 1971-1978 Oldsmobile Toronado started with a full redesign and new features were added each year. This car featured a grilleless design that pushed the grill openings to the far edges of the bumper. Learn more about the Toronados of this period.

auto.howstuffworks.com

1974 Cadillac Production Numbers/Specifications

An oil embargo against the U.S. resulted in gas shortages, which curtailed sales and production of big cars in 1974, which included Cadillac.

web.archive.org

https://www.nytimes.com/1975/06/05/archives/total-for-month-is-up-but-off-from-1974-us-auto-sales-lagged-during.html

 

[drocca1992]

1975 Model Year
For 1975, all full-size B-body GM cars (the Chevy Impala, Caprice, Pontiac Bonneville, Buick LeSabre, Electra, Oldsmobile Delta 88 and 98) have optional dual airbags. The Buick Riviera and Oldsmobile Toronado continue with optional dual airbags, and all 1975 Cadillacs have dual airbags standard. GM continues to call their dual airbag system ACRS; a driver-only system is not offered. On average, about 75% of people order the optional ACRS system. The price is initially $175 at the start of the model year in September 1974, but drops to $150 as from January 1, 1975. Total sales of the GM system are 702,914.
Ford introduces their system, called the Automatic Inflatable Restraint System (AIRS) as optional equipment on their full-size sedans, the LTD and Marquis. Like ACRS, it has dual airbags and only lap belts. Ford sells 520,876 AIRS-equipped vehicles this year, again the vast majority of the production vehicles it was available on.
Volvo introduces their driver airbag system on the new 200-Series (240 and 260). They go on sale in January 1975, being delayed by a few months from IOTL due to the last-minute addition of the airbag system. Called the Integrated Restraint System (IRS), it includes a driver airbag as well as 3-point seat belts for front and rear seats. 78,606 are sold for the 1975 model year.

A total of 1,302,396 airbag-equipped light vehicles (cars, trucks, SUVs) are sold in 1975, out of about 11 million total. This means that about 12% of 1975-model light vehicles have airbags. All are cars; trucks and SUVs won't get airbags for several more years.

Cash-strapped Chrysler is still developing their airbag system; they announce on November 4, 1974 that they hope to begin equipping certain models with the bags in the 1976 model year. AMC, much smaller than the Big Three and specializing in smaller cars, also doesn't yet have finalized airbag plans, though spokespeople say that they are in development. Japanese automakers, such as Toyota, Datsun and Honda, have also remained largely quiet on airbags, though some have stated that they're "in development".
The next movers in the airbag market seem to be the European luxury sedan manufacturers. On December 17, 1974, Mercedes announces that their 1976-model S-Class and SL-Class, which have been moved to an April 1975 launch (instead of the traditional fall 1975 launch) will have a dual airbag system standard. Mercedes calls their system the "SRS" system; in addition to dual airbags, the system includes pre-tensioners on both front 3-point seat belts, as well as a manual shutoff switch for the passenger airbag. On May 22, 1975, BMW announces that their upcoming 6-Series model will have SRS-style dual airbags, and that they are developing a system for the 7-Series as well to start production during calendar 1976. Like Mercedes, BMW adopts seat belt pretensioners.
Airbag availability remains largely restricted to full-size and luxury cars; systems designed for use in compact cars are still in development, and no plans have yet been made to put them in trucks and SUVs.

The Ford AIRS system is crash tested at 35 mph by IIHS, much in the same manner that ACRS was in summer 1974. The test is conducted on a 1975 Ford LTD within weeks of its release. The test results, released on November 19, 1974, show that the Ford airbag system provides excellent protection, comparable to that of ACRS.
On March 19, 1975, IIHS also releases results of a 35 mph test done on a Volvo 244 sedan with the standard IRS driver airbag system. With its airbag, crumple zones, and steel safety cage, results of the test show that a real-life driver would likely walk away uninjured. The passenger performed worse, although due to the Volvo's design, they would likely still have not suffered serious injuries.

A Volvo dealership puts on a demonstration to demonstrate the system's effectiveness; on June 4, 1975, a salesman at a New York dealership intentionally crashes a Volvo 244 sedan into a wall at 35 mph, to mimic the IIHS crash test. After the crash, the driver opens the door, walks out seemingly unharmed, and says to the camera "Only Volvo equips every car they build with an airbag. And only Volvo builds a car that's this safe."

By August 31, 1975, about 1,100 people are alive because of airbags. The news continues to report these cases, although not all of them are reported individually; however, there are typically 1 or 2 cases every month that get reported on nationally, and local news continues to report many of the cases.

The news isn't all good for airbags, though. During the course of this period, two children are killed by inflating passenger airbags; one in a rear-facing child seat in a Ford LTD on January 9, 1975, and another unrestrained child in a Buick LeSabre on June 7, 1975. The news takes little notice, chalking the deaths up to the crashes themselves, and airbag systems and demand remain unaffected; however, some automakers begin to make adjustments to future airbag systems due out a few years later.

 

[drocca1992]

1976 Model Year

Demand for airbag systems continues to be beyond boiling point, and GM, Ford and Volvo have gained market share over their competitors. Chrysler's tenuous financial situation worsens; AMC, who no longer offers a full-size car, suffers less, as there isn't yet an expectation that cheaper cars will offer airbags.
With airbags now taking off and mounting protests, the federal government rescinds its ignition interlock requirement. Carmakers quickly return 3-point belts to cars.
In addition, on January 28, 1976, the federal government issues a final rule stating that all 1980 model full size cars must be equipped with dual airbags; smaller cars get until 1982 to meet the mandate.

For 1976, in addition to the cars mentioned at the start of the 1975 model year section, the Chevy Corvette, BMW 6 Series, and Mercedes S and SL Class now have standard dual airbags. The Oldsmobile 98's previously optional dual airbag system becomes standard for the final model year of that body style. The new Cadillac Seville, like all Cadillac models from 1975 and later, has standard ACRS dual airbags.
Mercedes calls their system "SRS" and includes a world-first seat belt pretensioner system designed to tighten the seat belts at the onset of a crash. Like Volvo, they emphasize that it is designed to supplement seat belts, not replace them, although it still provides a great deal of additional protection in frontal crashes for unbelted occupants as well (although still not nearly as much as the belt and bag put together). They release it on April 4, 1975, halfway through the 1975 model year, but badge the airbag-equipped cars as 1976 models.

Of the 12,869,800 light vehicles (cars, trucks, SUVs) sold for the 1976 model year, 1,887,306, or about 15% of them have airbags.

Over the course of the year, most automakers announce that at least some of their 1977 models will have airbags. Here's a rundown of the announcements
GM
On January 7, 1976, GM announces that all of their redesigned 1977 full-size cars will have their second-generation ACRS system standard for both driver and passenger, with the exception of base-model Chevy Impalas which will have a driver bag standard and passenger bag optional. The second-generation system, known as ACRS II, uses airbags that are better integrated into the cabin aesthetically and are somewhat smaller and less aggressive, being designed to provide ideal protection with 3-point belts instead of lap belts (though unbelted protection is still a paramount factor with belt use still at 20%).
A large number of other GM models, as small as compact, have standard or optional systems announced. Like the full-size cars, most systems announced for 1977 are ACRS II. On March 25, they make announcements for a whole slew of models. The Chevy Camaro is slated to get a standard driver and optional passenger airbag; both bags will be standard on its Pontiac Firebird brother. The compact Chevy Monza and its platform mates, the Pontiac Sunbird, Buick Skyhawk, and Oldsmobile Starfire are set to get an optional dual airbag system. The Chevy Nova, Pontiac Phoenix, Buick Skylark, and Oldsmobile Omega compacts also will get dual airbags as an option for 1977. The Oldsmobile Toronado's and Buick Riviera's previously optional dual airbag systems are set to be made standard; since they're on an existing platform, they are not upgraded to ACRS II.
On June 28, 1976, GM announces that their midsize cars due for redesign for the 1978 model year will have ACRS II dual airbags standard across the board. Although this isn't directly announced, GM felt that it would be a poor investment to put airbags on a design that was going out of production, so they saved them for the next generation, a sentiment shared across many car companies.

Ford
On January 15, 1976, just a week after GM, Ford announces that the Ford Thunderbird, Mercury Cougar, and Lincoln Mark, all slated for redesign for 1977, will have dual airbags standard. The new Ford LTD II midsize sedan is set to have a standard driver bag and optional passenger bag. The Mercury Monarch also gets optional dual airbags for '77, but its lower-priced Granada sibling will have to wait.

Chrysler
Chrysler missed their 1976 goal to start equipping airbags, and for 1977, their airbag selection is still set to be limited; the Chrysler Cordoba and Dodge Diplomat get standard dual airbags. Dispensing with trademarked names, they simply call their airbag system what it is: airbags. They finally make the announcement on May 14, 1976.

AMC
On July 28, 1976, AMC announces that their first airbags will be put in 1978 models, due out in summer 1977.

Mercedes
On November 7, 1975, Mercedes-Benz announces that their new "W123" model, their standard sedan, will have dual SRS airbags standard when it goes on sale in spring 1976. This makes Mercedes-Benz the first model to have dual airbags standard on every model they build.

Volvo
On February 26, 1976, Volvo announces that their 240 will get optional dual airbags for the 1977 model year, and the upmarket 260 will have them as standard. Volvo redesigns their airbag system for 1977 to be less aggressive; to mark the change, Volvo begins calling their airbags SRS. The Volvo dual airbag system was planned to have a key-operated passenger deactivation switch from Day 1, making them the first company to announce such a system.

BMW
On February 16, 1976, BMW confirms that their 7-Series will be equipped with standard dual SRS airbags starting with May 1976 production, and that starting in fall 1976, the 3-Series would get a standard driver SRS airbag.

VW
On August 11, 1976, VW announces their first airbag system. Dual airbags will be optional on the Scirocco from January 1977 production. Volkswagen calls their system the "Automatic Restraint System" (ARS); it works on the SRS ideology.

Honda
On April 26, 1976, Honda announces that all 1977 models will have standard dual SRS airbags. The Hondas will go on sale August 25, 1976, becoming the first Japanese cars with any airbag.

Toyota
On July 21, 1976, Toyota announces that their 1977 Corona, due to go on sale in November 1976, will have a driver airbag as standard equipment.

By August 31, 1976, the number of lives saved by airbags is approximately 2,500.

Crash test program
On March 25, 1976, NHTSA announces that they are beginning a 40-mph frontal crash test program. (The program begins 3 years earlier, and is 5 mph faster than the program IOTL). Testing begins on 1976-model vehicles; in total, 35 vehicles will be tested for the 1976 model year. The Chevy Caprice, Oldsmobile Toronado, Oldsmobile Delta 88, and Ford LTD are tested in both dual airbag and non-airbag versions; the Cadillac Seville, DeVille, and Lincoln Continental, which have standard dual airbags, are tested; the Volvo 240 sedan, with a driver airbag, is tested; the Chevy Chevette, Nova, Monza, Chevelle Malibu, Ford Pinto, Torino, Granada, AMC Hornet, Chrysler LeBaron, Dodge Colt, Aspen, Charger, Dart, VW Rabbit, Peugeot 504, Datsun B210, 610, Toyota Corolla, Celica, Honda Civic, Accord, Mazda 1000, and Subaru, which have no airbags available, are also tested. Testing begins with full-size cars, proceeds to midsize cars, and finally wraps up with compact cars. Vehicles are tested for the 1976 model year between May 20 and November 9, 1976, beginning with the non-airbag Ford LTD and concluding with the Subaru sedan.
The head injury criteria and chest G's are measured, as they were IOTL; a HIC of under 1,000 and chest G's under 60 is considered passing; if either HIC or chest G's are in the 1,001 - 1,500 and 61-75 range, respectively, the vehicle is given an "Intermediate" score; and if HIC exceeds 1,500 or chest G's exceed 75, the vehicle fails. Ratings are given for both driver and front passenger, as well as an overall rating that matches the worst rating; for instance, if the driver gets a "passing" score and the passenger an "intermediate" score, the vehicle is rated "intermediate".
5 of the 7 vehicles with dual airbags get a "passing" score for both occupants; 2 get an "intermediate" score. The Volvo 240 gets an "intermediate" score, with the driver having the best injury measures in the entire test cycle but the passenger HIC exceeding 1,000. All 27 of the non-airbag vehicles get a "failing" score, though a few get "intermediate" scores for one occupant. HICs on several imported cars exceed 3,000; the Peugeot 504's driver does the worst, with 7,257! On the other hand, the Volvo 240's driver HIC is only 688.
Full-size cars' test results are released on September 28, midsize car results come out on November 4, and compact cars' results are out on December 24, 1976, fulfilling a promise by NHTSA to have all results out within the 1976 calendar year. Although the model year is already over by the time results are released, they still further spur purchases of vehicles with airbags.

Child airbag deaths
During the course of the 1976 model year (Sept. 1, 1975 - Aug. 31, 1976), 8 children are killed by inflating passenger airbags. 4 are unrestrained children between the ages of 2 and 6; the other 4 are infants in rear facing car seats.
The news and NHTSA take notice. On February 5, 1976, NHTSA recommends that all children under age 10 be placed in the rear seat in vehicles with passenger airbags. By summer 1976, about 40% of parents who drive vehicles so equipped have heeded the advice.
On April 26, 1976, GM announces that all of their cars with passenger airbags built from July 1976 on will have a key-operated switch to manually activate or deactivate the passenger airbag, and that existing models will have the switch as a retrofit option free of charge.
Ford makes a similar announcement the next day, announcing that all of their cars built from September 1, 1976 will have the switch, including all models badged as 1977. They actually begin installing the switches on July 23, over a month earlier than planned. Retrofit switches are also available starting in August.
BMW delays their airbag system planned for May 1976 production to June 21st to fit an airbag switch.
All Mercedes-Benzes made after June 1, 1976 also have the switch, including all W123's. Retrofit switches are available at all dealerships by the end of June.
VW, Honda, and Chrysler, slated to introduce their first dual airbag systems for the 1977 model year, also include the switch.
On July 20, 1976, NHTSA announces that all passenger airbag equipped vehicles produced on or after January 1, 1977 are required to have a passenger airbag on/off switch.

Sales of airbag-equipped vehicles drop throughout the spring and summer of 1976 before the switches become available starting in mid-summer. With the switches, airbag demand rises further. Parents who already have dual airbag equipped cars order retrofit switches in large numbers and move their children back to the front seat.

U.S. light vehicle sales 1976-2023 | Statista

US light vehicle sales neared 14 million in 2022, including light truck and car sales. Light vehicle sales by year in the US have fluctuated in recent years.

www.statista.com

 

[drocca1992]

Keep in mind sales numbers for each company are different from IOTL.

1977 Model Year

1977 proves to be a watershed year for airbag availability, as airbags expand to both compact cars and imports. 1977 sees the following additions to airbag availability:

GM: The Chevy Caprice, Pontiac Bonneville, Oldsmobile Delta 88, Buick LeSabre, and Electra make their previously optional dual airbag system standard with the 1977 redesign. Their platform mate, the Chevy Impala, also makes dual airbags standard with the redesign with the exception of the base Impala, which has a standard driver airbag and optional passenger airbag. Production of the one-airbag Impala is very limited. The Oldsmobile Toronado and Buick Riviera, on the E-body platform, also go from optional dual bags to standard dual bags.
The compact X-body platform (Chevy Nova, Buick Skylark, Pontiac Phoenix, and Oldsmobile Omega) makes dual airbags an option this year; the upmarket Omega has a driver airbag standard, with the passenger airbag remaining an option. The H-body compact coupes, the Chevy Monza, Pontiac Sunbird, Buick Skyhawk, and Oldsmobile Starfire, also make dual airbags an option, with the Olds having a standard driver airbag and optional passenger airbag.
The Chevy Camaro gets a standard driver airbag and optional passenger airbag, while the Pontiac Firebird makes both bags standard.
All but the Toronado and Riviera have the new "ACRS II" system, which uses somewhat less aggressive airbag inflators. A manual passenger airbag on-off switch is included on all GM vehicles produced on or after June 28, 1976, along with a warning label stating that "Air bags can kill or seriously injure infants and children under age 10. The air bag should be turned OFF for these occupants." At this point, GM has begun research on an automatic system based on weight, but it won't be available for several years.
The Chevy Chevette, being a low-cost model, doesn't yet have airbags available; the remaining models without airbags available are typically body styles that are going out of production. The A-body midsize cars (the Chevy Chevelle/Malibu, Monte Carlo, El Camino, Pontiac Grand Am, Grand Prix, LeMans, Oldsmobile Cutlass, Buick Century, and Regal) are the last major remaining platform without any airbag availability; they're in their last year before a redesign. The Chevy Vega and Pontiac Ventura, also in their last year, are also airbagless.

Of the 6,581,618 GM vehicles sold for 1977, 2,562,903 include at least one airbag, a total of about 39%. More GM vehicles are sold with airbags this year than all manufacturers combined in 1976.

Ford: The new midsize Ford LTD II as well as the redesigned Ford Thunderbird, Mercury Cougar, and Lincoln Mark V come with standard dual airbags this year. The full-size LTD and Marquis now have a standard driver airbag; the passenger airbag remains an option (1975-76 LTDs and Marquis had optional dual airbags). The Mercury Monarch now has optional dual airbags. The new Lincoln Versailles comes with standard dual airbags, like all 1977 Lincolns.

Of the 3,205,214 Ford Motor Company vehicles sold for 1977, 1,277,848 include at least one airbag, a total of about 40%.

Chrysler: They released their first airbag system this year. Dual airbags are standard on the new Dodge Diplomat and the Chrysler Cordoba.

Of the 1,806,579 vehicles sold by Chrysler Corporation in 1977, 222,777 include at least one airbag, a total of about 12%.

AMC doesn't yet offer airbags, none of their 149,529 cars are equipped with them.

JEEP, owned by AMC, doesn't offer airbags either, none of the 134,286 Jeeps sold in 1977 have them.

In total, American car makers put 4,063,528 cars on the road with at least one airbag in the 1977 model year.

European imports: The BMW 3-Series now comes with a standard driver SRS airbag from September 1976 production. The 7-Series has standard dual SRS airbags starting with May 1976 production. Both take effect for the 1977 model year.
Mercedes-Benz has dual SRS airbags standard on every car it produces for American sale starting in April 1976, including all 1977 model vehicles. While the W116-generation car, discontinued early in 1976, never gets airbags, all of the redesigned W123s do.
Volvo makes dual SRS airbags standard on the 260, and the passenger airbag is optional on the 240. All 240's still come with a standard driver SRS airbag, as the entire model line has since it started production in 1975. Halfway through the model year, in March 1977, the 240 gets the passenger airbag standard as a "1977.5" model.
Volkswagen makes a dual airbag system an option on Sciroccos.

A total of 677,904 European import vehicles are sold in the USA for the 1977 model year. 151,975, or 22%, have at least one airbag. Most of the smaller European auto manufacturers do not yet offer airbags; no British, Italian, or French automakers yet offer them.

Japanese imports: Toyota adds a standard driver airbag to their Corona. Honda makes dual SRS airbags standard across their entire model line.

A total of 1,747,915 Japanese import vehicles are sold in the USA for the 1977 model year. Of these, 287,172 have at least one airbag, a total of about 16%.

Of the 14,303,045 vehicles sold in the 1977 model year, 4,502,675, or 31.5% have at least one airbag.

By August 31, 1977, the number of lives saved by airbags is approximately 4,800.

NHTSA crash test program
NHTSA's test program continues. As a general rule, vehicles that are redesigned or have changes in their airbag systems (e.g. going from no airbag to dual airbag) are tested. Testing starts on February 22 and runs through June 28; all results are released by the end of the model year in August. The vast majority of vehicles with dual airbags get "passing" ratings, with some getting "intermediate" ratings; those with no airbags almost invariably "fail" for the driver, though some get "intermediate" (or, rarely, "passing") ratings for the passenger, helped by the quick addition of additional dashboard padding as an interim measure before a passenger airbag can be added.

Child airbag deaths
With the rapid introduction of airbag on-off switches, only 3 children - 1 infant in a rear facing child seat and 2 children ages 3 and 4 - die from inflating passenger airbags between September 1, 1976 and August 31, 1977.

1978-model airbag plans:
GM: On January 25, 1977, GM announces that all 1978 Buicks and Oldsmobiles will have dual airbags standard across the board, with the exception of the Isuzu-built Buick Opel. On March 10, 1977, they make a further announcement that all GM-built cars will have at least a driver airbag as an option. In addition to these announcements, as well as the already-announced standard dual airbags on the 1978 A-body midsize cars (Chevy Malibu, Monte Carlo, Pontiac LeMans, Grand Prix, Oldsmobile Cutlass, Buick Century, and Regal), GM announces that the Chevy Nova will get a standard driver airbag and the Chevette will have an optional driver airbag. GM plans to produce around 90% of their total passenger car volume with airbags; in addition, they pioneer airbags in trucks by making dual airbags standard in the 1978 El Camino, based on the A-body platform.

Ford: On January 12, 1977, they announce that the all-new Ford Fairmont will have a standard driver and optional passenger airbag; both bags will be standard on the upmarket Mercury Zephyr variant. On May 24, 1977, they announce that the LTD II's previously optional passenger airbag will become standard for 1978, meaning that dual airbags will be standard. They also announce that the 1978 Ford Granada and Mercury Monarch will get a standard driver and optional passenger airbag. On the 1978 vehicles with a standard driver and optional passenger airbag (the Fairmont, Granada, Monarch, and existing Ford LTD), Ford vows to put the passenger bags on 80% of production units.

AMC: On April 6, 1977, they announce their first airbags; the new Concord will have dual airbags as standard. AMC calls their system the "Air Bag Safety System" (ABSS)

Chrysler: There is little change in Chrysler's airbag plans for 1978; on March 23, 1977, they announce that the new 1978 Dodge Magnum will have standard dual airbags.

Volvo: On October 26, 1976, they announce that all of their cars built after March 1, 1977 will have dual airbags standard.

BMW: On April 28, 1977, they announce that 5-Series models built starting in June 1977 will have dual airbags standard. These will be labeled as 1978 models.

Audi: On June 20, 1977, they announce that all of their vehicles will have a driver airbag as standard equipment for the 1978 model year.

SAAB: On May 5, 1977, they announce that all of their 1978-model US-market vehicles will have standard dual airbags.

Alfa Romeo: On July 12, 1977, they announce that their Alfasud and Giulietta large cars will have dual airbags standard for the 1978 model year, and the Alfasud will have a standard driver airbag.

Datsun: On June 2, 1977, Datsun announces that it will include its first-ever airbag system on the 810 and 510, their two largest cars, on 1978 models, due out for sale in September 1977.

Toyota: On April 4, 1977, they announce that they will have dual airbags standard on the 1978 Cressida and a standard driver airbag on the 1978 Corolla and Celica. The airbag-equipped Corolla and Celica will go on sale in August 1977.

Subaru: On August 17, 1977, they announce that the new 1978 BRAT coupe utility will have a driver airbag standard.

Of the major automakers, only Mazda, FIAT, and British Leyland (Jaguar, Triumph, MG) have no plans to include airbags in 1978 models.

 

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1978 Model Year
By now, a majority of new cars have airbags. Two years before they become mandatory in full size cars, they're already equipped in nearly all of them, and consumers even have airbag-equipped choices in smaller and less expensive cars. By the start of the model year, NHTSA crash test results been out for a year, and have put manufacturers on blast; at least a driver airbag is required to make even an "intermediate" rating, and dual bags are typically required to make a "passing" rating.

GM: All 1978 GM cars have at least a driver airbag as an option, except for the Isuzu-built Buick Opel. The big news this year is the A-body midsize vehicles (Chevy Malibu, Monte Carlo, Pontiac LeMans, Grand Prix, Oldsmobile Cutlass, Buick Century, and Regal, as well as the Chevy El Camino) get dual airbags standard this year. The compact X-body Chevy Nova and Pontiac Phoenix get a standard driver airbag; the passenger airbag remains optional. Their Oldsmobile Omega and Buick Skylark siblings make both airbags standard as part of GM's initiative to make dual airbags standard in all 1978 B-O-C (Buick-Oldsmobile-Cadillac) models. The higher-end H-body compact coupes, the Oldsmobile Starfire and Buick Skyhawk, also gain standard dual airbags. All X- and H-bodies had optional dual airbags in 1977. Finally, the Chevy Chevette gets an optional driver airbag for 1978, though it's standard on higher trim levels.
Of passenger cars, the Chevy Chevette, Monza, Pontiac Sunbird, and Buick Opel even offer versions without an airbag. The vast majority of trucks, vans, and SUVs don't have airbags yet.

Of 6,787,223 GM vehicles sold for 1978, 5,473,310, or about 81%, have at least one airbag. The vast majority have dual airbags. Just like in 1977, GM's airbag production alone is greater than the total number of vehicles sold with airbags in the previous year.

Ford: The new Fairmont launches with a standard driver and optional passenger airbag, and the Granada also gains a standard driver and optional passenger airbag.

Of 3,209,715 Ford vehicles sold for 1978, 2,081,786, or 65%, have at least one airbag. Most have dual airbags.

Chrysler: The Dodge Magnum has dual airbags this year. With limited resources, Chrysler plans to meet the airbag mandate at the proverbial "last minute".

Of the 1,627,307 Chrysler vehicles sold for 1978, 276,412, or 17%, have at least one airbag. Sales flag even further as consumers flock to GM and Ford, who equip most of their vehicles with airbags by this point.

AMC: The Concord gets a dual airbag system standard this year, marking the launch of AMC's ABSS safety system.

Of the 162,814 AMC vehicles sold for 1978, 119,595, or about 73%, have at least one airbag.

None of the 159,263 JEEPs sold for 1978 have an airbag.

In total, American automakers put 7,951,103 vehicles on the road with at least one airbag in the 1978 model year.

European imports: With their addition of standard dual airbags to the BMW 3- and 5-Series and Saab 99, all 1978 BMWs and Saabs have dual airbags standard, joining Mercedes and Volvo. Audi makes a driver airbag standard on all of their cars, along with a special energy-absorbing crushable upper dashboard on the passenger side. Alfa Romeo adds standard dual airbags to the Alfetta and new Giulietta.
The highest-volume European manufacturer, Volkswagen, makes dual airbags an option on the Rabbit and Dasher, meaning that all Volkswagens, excepting the Beetle (which is soon to be discontinued) have dual airbags as an option. All European airbags operate on the "SRS" ideology, being somewhat weaker than American airbags. British and French manufacturers continue to eschew airbags, but German and Swedish manufacturers have almost universally adopted them.

Of 672,799 vehicles imported from Europe for the 1978 model year, 447,218, or 66%, have at least one airbag.

Japanese imports: The Datsun 510 and 810 get a standard driver airbag. The Toyota Corolla and Celica get standard driver airbags; dual airbags are standard on the new Cressida. This means that all 1978 Toyota passenger cars have at least a driver airbag standard. Subaru makes a driver airbag standard on their new BRAT coupe utility, making it the second light truck to have an airbag.

A total of 1,702,757 vehicles are imported from Japan for the 1978 model year. Of these, 841,991, or 49%, have at least one airbag.

Of the 14,921,878 vehicles sold in the 1978 model year, 9,240,312, or 61.9%, have at least one airbag.

By August 31, 1978, the cumulative number of lives saved by airbags is about 9,200. Some 20% of vehicles on the road have at least one airbag. 78% of people have at least ridden in a car with an airbag, according to a July 1978 survey.

NHTSA crash test program
NHTSA's test program returns for 1978. It is clear that, due to the 40 mph speed, manufacturers are designing new vehicles' structures to cope with the increased load; the 1978 GM A-body midsize cars and the Ford Fairmont are two examples of vehicles that incorporate "crumple zones" into their design. In contrast to the poor results seen in 1976, by 1978 about half of tested vehicles earn "passing" ratings, another 30% or so are "intermediate", and it's rare to see an airbag-equipped vehicle fail. HICs drop below 600 on the best performers.

Child airbag deaths
2 children were killed by airbags during the September 1, 1977 to August 31, 1978 period. One was in a 1976-model vehicle without a switch, and the other was in a 1977-model vehicle where the switch was improperly left on. All children killed thus far by airbags have been unrestrained or in rear-facing child seats.

1979-model airbag plans:

GM: On February 1, 1978, GM announces that the 1979 Chevy Monza and Pontiac Sunbird's previously optional driver airbag will become standard; a passenger airbag will remain optional. They also announce that the Chevy Camaro's previously optional passenger airbag will become standard, bumping it up to the dual airbag ranks. GM starts the 1979 model year early for these cars in May 1978. For 1979, the Chevy Chevette and the Buick Opel will be the only non-airbag passenger cars GM offers, and production of the non-airbag Chevette will be very limited.
On October 25, 1978, admittedly a few months after the end of the 1978 model year, they announce that Chevettes built on or after January 1, 1979 will have a standard driver airbag and an optional passenger airbag. Imports of the Buick Opel are halted in December 1978; all GM passenger cars produced during calendar year 1979 have dual airbags as at least an option.

Ford: The Ford Fairmont, Mercury Monarch, and redesigned Ford LTD make their previously optional passenger airbag standard, and the Ford Mustang and Mercury Capri now also have standard dual airbags. This leaves the Ford Fiesta and Pinto as the only non-airbag passenger cars that Ford makes. On September 15, 1978, Ford announces that Fiestas built from November 1978 on will have standard dual airbags.

AMC: The Gremlin and Matador, which never got airbags, are discontinued.
On April 11, 1978, AMC announces that the new Spirit, which replaces the Matador, will have standard dual airbags. The new AMX also will have dual airbags, and the Pacer will get dual airbags standard for '79. This makes AMC the first American automaker to equip all of their passenger cars with airbags, which they plan to aggressively market when the cars go on sale in August 1978.

Chrysler: With the airbag mandate looming, on December 2, 1977, Chrysler announces that the upcoming R-body full size cars, the 1979 Chrysler Newport, New Yorker, and Dodge St. Regis will have standard dual airbags. On April 27, 1978, they announce that the Dodge Challenger will get a standard driver airbag, and that dual airbags will be an option on the Omni. This leaves Plymouth as the last major American marque to not offer any airbags.

Volkswagen: On May 23, 1978, they announce that dual airbags will be standard on the 1979 Scirocco. On August 1, 1978, they announce that their next-generation van, due out in mid 1979, will be the world's first van to have airbags; it will come with two.

Alfa Romeo: On June 7, 1978, they announce that their Alfasud and Spider models will have dual SRS airbags starting with September 1978 production, meaning that all 1979 model Alfa Romeos will have standard dual airbags.

Fiat: On April 10, 1978, they announce that all 1979 Fiats will have dual SRS airbags standard, making the bags standard in one fell swoop across their model line.

Jaguar: On August 29, 1978, they announce that the 1979 XJ-S convertible will have dual airbags standard beginning with January 1979 production, as part of a belated 1979 model year launch.

Datsun: On May 22, 1978, they announce that the Datsun 310 will have a driver airbag standard on the GX trim and an option on the base Deluxe trim; most 310's are expected to be GX's. The redesigned 210 will come with an optional driver airbag as well. The 810 will add a passenger airbag, making dual airbags standard; the previously bagless 280ZX gets dual airbags with its 1979 redesign.

Toyota: On May 15, 1978, they announce that the Corona will get dual airbags on 1979 models.

Mazda: On March 28, 1978, they announce their first ever airbag system. The redesigned 626 and RX-7 will get standard driver airbags, and the upmarket 929 dual airbags.

With these announcements, the only carmakers who won't offer airbags for 1979 are British or French: MG, Triumph, Peugeot, and Renault.

 

[drocca1992]

1979 Model Year
By now, the vast majority of new cars have airbags, with only a few small, niche manufacturers holding out. They're all but de rigueur on American cars (except Chryslers), and even most Japanese imports have them. The federal mandate for full-size cars to have dual airbags is only a year away; smaller cars still have 3 years left on the countdown. Trucks and SUVs, however, haven't yet adopted airbags in large numbers, with only GM and, surprisingly, Subaru offering them in anything resembling a truck.

GM: The Chevy Monza's previously optional driver airbag becomes standard; the Chevy Impala and Chevy Camaro finally get standard dual airbags (although the vast majority of production for these vehicles had dual airbags in 1977 and 1978). A passenger airbag is added to the option list for the Chevy Chevette for the 1979 model year. As of January 1, 1979, the Chevy Chevette's driver airbag becomes standard; the passenger airbag remains optional.

Of 6,218,990 GM vehicles sold for 1979, 5,186,394, or about 83% have at least one airbag. Other than a small number of base-model Chevettes produced during late 1978, every GM passenger car has at least one airbag; nearly all have two. The balance is made up of trucks, vans, and SUVs.

Ford: The Fiesta gets dual airbags standard, although the 1979 Fiestas are delayed by a month with an on-sale date in late November. The redesigned Ford Mustang and Mercury Capri also get dual airbags standard. None of the three had airbags available before 1979. The Ford LTD, Ford Fairmont, and Mercury Monarch's passenger airbags all become standard, upgrading them to standard dual airbags. The only passenger cars Ford offers for 1979 without airbags are the Ford Pinto and Mercury Bobcat; they are built on an aging platform and no provision for airbags was made for them. The Granada still has an optional passenger airbag (the driver airbag is standard), though the vast majority of production is equipped with both bags.

Of 2,801,207 Ford vehicles sold for 1979, 1,957,329, or about 70%, have at least one airbag.

Chrysler: The Newport, New Yorker, and new St. Regis all get dual airbags standard this year. The Challenger gets a standard driver airbag, and the Omni gets optional dual airbags.

Of 1,297,414 Chrysler vehicles sold for 1979, 413,586, or 32%, have at least one airbag.

AMC: The new Spirit gets dual airbags standard; so does the Spirit-based AMX and Pacer. All 1979 AMC vehicles have standard dual airbags.

Of 171,717 AMC vehicles sold for 1979, all 100% of them have dual airbags.

None of the 131,814 JEEPs sold for 1979 have airbags.

In total, American automakers put 7,729,026 vehicles on the road with airbags in the 1979 model year.

European imports: The Volkswagen Scirocco's previously optional passenger airbag becomes standard, bumping it up to dual airbags. The new Saab 900 has dual airbags standard. Fiat adds standard dual airbags to their entire lineup in one fell swoop: the 128, 131, new Strada, Spider, and X1/9. None had airbags previously. The Alfa Romeo Alfasud and Spider get standard dual airbags, meaning that all Alfas have dual airbags as well, and thus all non-exotic Italian cars. Jaguar adds dual airbags to their XJ-S convertible.

Of 723,829 vehicles built by European automakers in the 1979 model year, 648,561, or 90%, have at least one airbag.

Japanese imports: The Datsun 310 and 210 add an optional driver airbag; it's standard on the 310 GX. The Datsun 810 gets a passenger airbag as standard, upgrading it to dual airbags. The 280ZX gets dual airbags with a redesign. The Toyota Corona also adds a passenger airbag, making dual airbags standard. Mazda debuts its airbag system by adding a standard driver airbag to the 626 and RX-7 and standard dual airbags to the 929.

Of 2,111,619 vehicles built by Japanese automakers in the 1979 model year, 1,528,917, or 72%, have at least one airbag.

Of the 13,456,590 vehicles sold in the 1979 model year, 9,906,504, or 73.6%, have at least one airbag.

By August 31, 1979, the cumulative number of lives saved by airbags is approximately 14,000. About 30% of vehicles on the road have at least one airbag.

Airbag plans for 1980:

GM: On March 26, 1979, GM announces that all 1980-model Chevy Chevettes will have dual airbags standard, meaning that they meet dual airbag standards fleet-wide two years ahead of time.

Ford: On June 1, 1979, Ford announces a world's first airbag system for a true pickup truck. The redesigned 1980 F-150 and Bronco will have dual airbags standard. The Econoline full-size van will get a standard driver and optional passenger airbag for 1980.

Chrysler: On February 26, 1979, they announce that the LeBaron will get standard dual airbags for the 1980 model year, due to go on sale in July 1979. The Dodge Challenger and its twin, the Plymouth Sapporo, also get dual airbags standard for 1980. The reintroduced Plymouth Gran Fury, sharing the R-body platform with the Chrysler Newport and Dodge St. Regis, also gets dual airbags. The Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon get a standard driver airbag and an optional passenger airbag.

Volkswagen: On May 15, 1979, they announce that the new Vanagon will have dual airbags standard.

Triumph: On July 16, 1979, they announce that the Triumph TR7 and TR8 will have a driver airbag standard.

Jaguar: On June 25, 1979, they announce that the redesigned XJ sedan will have dual airbags standard, meaning that they will have dual airbags standard across the board.

Rover: The SD1 is slated to debut in the USA market and has dual airbags standard.

Datsun: On May 21, 1979, they announce that the 310 and 200SX are set to get standard dual airbags. The 210 gets its driver airbag as standard, with a passenger airbag optional. The 510 gets a passenger airbag standard, upgrading it to dual airbags.

Toyota: On April 4, 1979, they announce that all 1980 Toyotas will have standard dual airbags. The Corolla, Corolla Tercel, and Celica all add a passenger airbag as standard, meaning they now have dual airbags.

Mazda: On August 10, 1979, they announce that the 1980 RX-7 will have standard dual airbags.

Subaru: On March 21, 1979, they announce that all 1980 Subarus will have standard dual airbags.

NHTSA crash test program
In an effort to pass the rigorous test, even more manufacturers add crumple zones and reinforced body structures to their vehicles. Even low-end vehicles such as the Datsun 310 and 210 have been designed to get a "passing" rating in the test, and about 60% of the cars tested for 1979 pass. The test program is the timeliest yet - testing starts on Nov. 28, 1978 and is complete by April 10, 1979. On May 8, 1979, NHTSA announces that trucks, vans, and SUVs will be tested starting with the 1981 model year. However, Ford requests that their 1980 F-150, with standard dual airbags and crumple zones, is tested.

Child airbag deaths: 4 children are killed by airbags this year. 3 of them are killed due to airbags being improperly left on (a switch has been mandatory since 1977). On May 4, 1979, GM exhibits an experimental "automatic cutoff" system that deactivates the airbag if there's less than 70 pounds on the seat. GM doesn't expect to have the system in a production state until around 1982.

Additional airbag innovations: On January 26, 1979, Volvo announces that it is researching side-impact airbags and has made working models in the lab, but that it will be several years before they're available.
On June 25, 1979, IIHS releases a study showing that death rates with 3 point seat belts and airbags are still 54% lower than with airbags alone. The idea of seat belt use laws begins to gain traction in the USA, although belt use rates remain just above 20%.

With some of the worst crash test results and without any airbags on their cars, French carmakers begin to attract heavy criticism.

 

[drocca1992]

---work in progress ---

The following interview was aired on national television on December 7, 1978, the 5th anniversary of when the first GM ACRS equipped vehicle was sold.

"So, what's your opinion on the automakers' response to airbags and car safety over these last 5 years?"

"Well, on the whole, I'm extremely proud of most of them. They've found that safety sells and have, by and large, put in airbags as quickly as they reasonably could. We're looking at, what, over 70 percent of cars this year have airbags. And the results are paying off. We've already had almost 10,000 lives saved by them. I just find it amazing that 5 years ago airbags were this almost science-fiction thing and now you can get them on a car that's less than $5,000."

"Which automakers have impressed you, and which ones are lagging behind?"

 

[drocca1992]

1980 Model Year
By now, almost all passenger cars have airbags, with only a few holdouts, typically in niche markets, left. Most trucks, vans, and SUVs don't yet have airbags, but that is set to change in the upcoming years. Full size cars are required to have dual airbags starting this year.

GM: The Chevy Chevette and Monza are the final vehicles in GM's passenger car lineup to get standard dual airbags; all 1980 GM passenger cars have dual airbags standard.

Of 4,861,516 GM vehicles sold for 1980, 4,159,319, or 85.6%, have airbags. All of these have dual airbags.

Ford: The F-150 pickup truck gains standard dual airbags with its 1980 redesign; it is the first true pickup truck to come with airbags. The Econoline van gets a standard driver airbag and optional passenger airbag. The Ford Pinto and Mercury Bobcat, in the last year of their design, are the only passenger cars that don't have any airbag; the Granada still has a standard driver and optional passenger airbag, though nearly all Granadas produced have both airbags.

Of 2,137,024 Ford vehicles sold for 1980, 1,949,412, or 91.2%, have at least one airbag. Almost all have dual bags.

AMC: No news here. Like all 1979 and later AMC vehicles, the new Eagle Wagon has standard dual airbags.

All 150,003 AMC vehicles sold for 1980 have dual airbags.

None of the 62,157 JEEPs sold for 1980 have airbags.

Chrysler: The Chrysler LeBaron and Plymouth Sapporo get standard dual airbags this year; both previously didn't have airbags. The Dodge Challenger adds a standard passenger airbag, upgrading to dual airbags. The Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon both get their driver airbag as standard; the passenger airbag remains an option. The reintroduced Plymouth Gran Fury comes with standard dual airbags.

Of 959,210 Chrysler vehicles sold for 1980, 597,227, or 62.3%, have at least one airbag.

European imports: The Volkswagen Rabbit and Dasher, as well as the new Jetta sedan and Vanagon van, have dual airbags standard. All 1980 Volkswagens have standard dual airbags. The Triumph TR7 and TR8 get a standard driver airbag. The redesigned Jaguar Series III XJ sedan gets standard dual airbags. All 1980 Jaguars have standard dual airbags. Rover debuts their SD1 in the USA with standard dual airbags.

Of 695,052 vehicles sold by European brands in 1980, 651,709, or 93.8%, have at least one airbag.

Japanese imports: The Datsun 310, 510, and 200SX all get dual airbags standard. The 210 gets a standard driver airbag, and a passenger airbag becomes optional. In April 1980, the 210's optional passenger airbag becomes standard, meaning that all Datsun passenger cars now have standard dual airbags. The Toyota Celica and the redesigned Corolla get dual airbags standard, meaning that all 1980 Toyotas have dual airbags standard. The Mazda 626 and RX-7 get standard dual airbags this year. The redesigned 1980 Subaru gets dual airbags standard, as well as the BRAT. All 1980 Subarus have standard dual airbags. The only Japanese-import passenger car without at least one airbag this year is the Mazda GLC, which is in the last year before a redesign.

Of 2,203,328 Japanese import vehicles sold for 1980, 1,853,423, or 84.1%, have at least one airbag.

List of 1980-model passenger cars with no airbags: Ford Pinto, Mercury Bobcat, Dodge Aspen, Plymouth Volare, Peugeot 504, Peugeot 505, MGB, Mazda GLC, Renault LeCar. All of the non-French cars on this list are in their last year before a redesign or discontinuation . The remainder of the vehicles sold for 1980 without airbags are trucks, vans and SUVs.

Of the 11,068,290 vehicles sold in the 1980 model year, 9,361,093, or 84.6%, have at least one airbag.

By August 31, 1980, the number of cumulative lives saved by airbags is about 20,200. The percentage of vehicles on the road with at least one airbag is nearing 40%.

Airbag plans for 1981:

GM: On April 30, 1980, they announce that their facelifted 1981-model C/K full size trucks will have a standard driver and optional passenger airbag. Dual airbags will be standard on the C/K-based Chevy K5 Blazer and GMC Jimmy.

Ford: On February 6, 1980, they announce that the Ford Pinto and Mercury Bobcat's replacement - the Ford Escort and Mercury Lynx "world cars" - will have dual airbags and be "the safest small cars ever built".

Chrysler: On February 7, 1980, they announce that the new K-cars, the Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant, will have dual airbags and crumple zones. On May 28, 1980, they announce that the redesigned Ram full-size truck, as well as its Ramcharger SUV variant, will have standard dual airbags.

Audi: On June 25, 1980, they announce that the 5000 will have a standard passenger airbag, meaning that dual airbags will be standard. With the airbag, the special "crushable dash" feature is eliminated on the 5000.

Renault: On August 27, 1980, they announce that 1981-model LeCars will have a standard driver airbag.

Toyota: On June 4, 1980, they announce that their 1981 model truck will get a standard driver airbag.

Mazda: On July 2, 1980, they announce that the redesigned GLC will have standard dual airbags.

Isuzu: On July 2, 1980, Isuzu announces that they're going on sale under their own name. Their I-Mark small car will have dual airbags standard, while their P'up pickup truck will not have airbags.

Automotive journalists note that Peugeot will sell the only 1981-model passenger cars without airbags. As of the end of the 1980 model year, no word has come from Peugeot on airbags.

NHTSA crash test program
For the second straight year, testing begins before the New Year, starting on Nov. 15, 1979 and running through Mar. 6, 1980. Most new designs are getting passing ratings, and very few are outright failing. NHTSA begins to consider a 5-star rating system to differentiate between vehicles that merely "pass" versus ones that excel. Notably, the Ford F-150, the first pickup truck ever tested, passes the test.

Child airbag deaths: There were 6 this year, which were caused by drivers improperly leaving airbags on for children. All were unrestrained. Several other manufacturers, including Ford, Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, Datsun, and Honda begin to research automatically deactivated passenger airbags on their own accord; Honda announces that future designs will feature a vertically deploying passenger airbag, where the first force of deployment goes toward the windshield instead of directly toward the occupant.

Additional airbag innovations: Manufacturers have begun to somewhat weaken their airbags, as those who haven't adopted the "SRS" style of airbags do so. More cars are getting crumple zones and body structures designed to stand up to 40-mph front crashes with little intrusion into the occupant compartment, and on these vehicles, airbags no longer need to "compensate" for structural intrusion; overly stiff airbags often drive results down to the "intermediate" level instead of "passing".

 

[drocca1992]

1981 Model Year
The last passenger car holdouts (except Peugeot) get airbags; at this point, dual airbags are also nearly universal, with only a few cars remaining with only driver airbags. Pickup trucks, vans and SUVs are next in line, and airbag fitment on them is spreading fast.

GM: The facelifted Chevy C/K series trucks have a standard driver airbag and optional passenger airbag; both airbags are standard on the GMC truck variant. The Chevy K5 Blazer and GMC Jimmy, built on the same platform, have dual airbags standard.

Of 4,543,912 GM vehicles sold for 1981, 4,385,830, or 96.5%, have at least one airbag.

Ford: The Ford Granada finally gets its passenger airbag standard with the 1981 redesign, meaning dual airbags are now standard. The new Ford Escort and Mercury Lynx have standard dual airbags. All 1981 Ford passenger cars have standard dual airbags; the only 1981 Ford vehicle without airbags is the Ford Courier.

Of 2,023,423 Ford vehicles sold for 1981, 1,980,124, or 97.9%, have at least one airbag.

All 138,492 AMC vehicles sold for 1981 have dual airbags.

None of the 88,426 JEEPs sold for 1981 have airbags.

Chrysler: The Dodge Ram pickup truck, as well as its SUV variants (Dodge Ramcharger/Plymouth Trail Duster) have standard dual airbags. The new Plymouth Reliant and Dodge Aries also have standard dual airbags.

Of 1,025,995 Chrysler vehicles sold for 1981, 940,901, or 91.7%, have at least one airbag.

European imports: The Audi 5000 adds a passenger airbag as standard, upgrading it to dual airbags. The Renault LeCar now has a standard driver airbag. The new Renault 18i and Sportwagon have standard dual airbags.

Of 657,260 European import-brand vehicles sold for 1981, 644,453, or 98.1%, have at least one airbag.

Japanese imports: The Mazda GLC now has standard dual airbags. The Toyota truck gets a standard driver airbag.

Of 2,186,907 Japanese import-brand vehicles sold for 1981, 1,996,502, or 91.3%, have at least one airbag.

Of the 10,664,415 vehicles sold for 1981, 10,086,302, or 94.6%, have at least one airbag. Despite 1981 seeing the lowest number of overall sales in many years, production of vehicles with airbags hits a record high.

By August 31, 1981, an estimated 28,700 lives have been saved by airbags. The percentage of vehicles on the road with airbags is at over 45%, and it's estimated that at some point in 1982 a majority of vehicles on the road will have airbags.

List of 1981-model passenger cars without dual airbags:
Standard driver, optional passenger: Dodge Omni, Plymouth Horizon
Standard driver: Dodge/Plymouth Colt, Audi 4000, Renault Le Car, Triumph TR7/TR8
No airbag: Peugeot 504, Peugeot 505

1982-model and future airbag plans:

Ford: On July 8, 1981, they announce that the new Ranger truck set to begin production in January 1982 will have standard dual airbags.

Chrysler: On February 6, 1981, they announce that the Dodge Omni, Plymouth Horizon, and Dodge/Plymouth Colt will have standard dual airbags starting in late summer 1981, for the 1982 model year. On March 20, 1981, they announce that the Dodge Ram 50 and Plymouth Arrow Truck compact trucks will have a standard driver airbag for 1982.

JEEP: On August 6, 1981, they announce that 1982 Jeep J-Series pickup trucks (to be built starting in November 1981) will have dual airbags.

Renault: On December 4, 1980, they announce that Le Cars built starting in March 1981 will have standard dual airbags, and will be sold as early 1982 models.

Peugeot: On April 23, 1981, NHTSA warns Peugeot that if they sell any cars built on or after September 1, 1981 without airbags, that there will be serious consequences. This comes after Peugeot fails to announce any airbag equipped cars up to this point.

Mitsubishi: On May 28, 1981, Mitsubishi announces their entry into the USA market. The Tredia and Cordia will have dual airbags standard, as federally required; the Mighty Max truck will have a driver airbag.

NHTSA crash test program
For the third straight year, testing begins before the New Year, running from Nov. 6, 1980 to Feb. 26, 1981, with the first round of results on Dec. 31, 1980. Testing of trucks, vans, and SUVs begin this year. The full-size American trucks and SUVs, all with airbags, pass, though the Chevy truck with only a driver airbag gets an "intermediate" score. The Ford van, if equipped with dual airbags, gets an "intermediate". All other trucks, vans and SUVs fail.

Child airbag deaths
Public information campaigns continue as 4 children are killed by inflating passenger airbags this year. All were unrestrained, and all had manual switches activated against recommendations.

Additional airbag innovations: Other manufacturers join Volvo in development of side-impact airbags, hopeful for a mid-1980s introduction.

 

[drocca1992]

1982 Model Year
All passenger cars and most trucks have airbags by now.

GM: The new Chevy S-10 and GMC Sonoma compact pickup trucks, which replace the Chevy LUV, has standard dual airbags. The sole GM vehicles without airbags this year are the LUV (which is still available as a cheaper option to the S-10 for one year) and the full-size vans.

Of 4,308,172 GM vehicles sold for 1982, 4,184,219, or 97.1%, have at least one airbag.

Of 1,987,630 Ford vehicles sold for 1982, 1,968,602, or 99.0%, have at least one airbag.

Of 116,589 AMC vehicles sold for 1982, all have dual airbags.

JEEP: The J-Series full-size truck gets dual airbags this year.

Of 75,757 JEEPs sold for 1982, 6,119, or 8.1%, have dual airbags.

Chrysler: The Dodge Ram 50 and Plymouth Arrow Truck compact pickup trucks get a driver airbag this year. The Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon make their previously optional passenger airbag standard, upgrading to dual airbags; the Dodge Colt adds a passenger airbag, giving it dual airbags as well. The only 1982-model Chrysler vehicle without airbags is the full-size van.

Of 1,010,849 Chrysler vehicles sold for 1982, 929,364, or 91.9%, have at least one airbag.

European imports: The Audi 4000 finally replaces its crushable dash with a passenger airbag, meaning it now has dual airbags. The Renault Le Car now has standard dual airbags. Peugeot stockpiles production before September 1, 1981; all Peugeots sold during the 1982-model year period are badged as 1981s and were built throughout the spring and summer of 1981. They have no airbags. Following supply exhaustion in summer 1982, Peugeot suspends sales in the American market.

All 531,981 European import-brand vehicles sold for 1982 have dual airbags. Although Peugeot continues to sell stockpiled stock through most of the model year, these are 1981-model cars and do not count toward this number.

Japanese imports: Mitsubishi enters the USA market under their own name. The Cordia and Tredia have dual airbags; the Mighty Max pickup truck has a driver airbag.

Of 2,220,917 Japanese import-brand vehicles sold for 1982, 2,061,831, or 92.8%, have at least one airbag.

Of 10,251,895 vehicles sold for 1982, 9,798,705, or 95.6%, have at least one airbag.

By August 31, 1982, an estimated 36,500 lives have been saved by airbags. An estimated 52% of vehicles on the road have at least one airbag.

List of 1982-model vehicles without dual airbags:
Standard driver/optional passenger airbag: Chevy C/K full size truck, Ford Econoline van (The vast majority of 1982 examples of both models have the dual airbags equipped).
Standard driver airbag: Toyota truck, Dodge Ram 50/Plymouth Arrow Truck, Mitsubishi Mighty Max
No airbag: Chevy LUV, Chevy/GMC full-size van, Ford Courier, JEEP CJ, JEEP Scrambler, JEEP Wagoneer/Cherokee, Dodge/Plymouth full-size van, Datsun truck, Mazda truck, Isuzu P'up

1983-model and future airbag plans:

GM: On March 2, 1982, they announce that dual airbags will be standard on their 1983-model full size van; dual bags will also be standard on the new S-10 Blazer and GMC S-15 Jimmy. All 1983-model GM vehicles will have dual airbags standard.

Ford: Ford previously announced that the Ranger pickup, to go on sale in early spring 1982 as an early 1983 model, will have dual airbags standard. The Ranger replaces the airbagless Courier. On February 24, 1982, they announce that their 1983 full-size van will get standard dual airbags, making dual airbags standard on every Ford vehicle.

Datsun/Nissan: On May 19, 1982, they announce that their 1983-model truck will have a standard driver airbag.

Crash test program
Testing continues as normal. Few vehicles fail. The best vehicles are scoring HICs under 600 with less than 45 chest G's. On October 6, 1981, NHTSA announces that it's formally developing a new, stricter rating system likely to go into effect in the 1984 model year. While the test mode remains unchanged, injury criteria will get stricter, with an A- to F- grade scale; A to B will correspond to what's now "passing", C will include the bottom end of passing and a small portion of the "intermediate" range; D will include most of the "intermediate" range. and F will include the very bottom of the "intermediate" range and the "failing" range.

Additional airbag innovations
On August 2, 1982, Mercedes-Benz announces an "advanced airbag" system that deactivates the passenger airbag for less than 60 pounds of weight as an optional feature on the 1983 S-Class. The first vehicle with a vertically deploying passenger airbag, the redesigned 1982 Honda Accord, is introduced. Toyota, Mercedes, Volvo, Saab, and Audi commit to vertically deploying passenger airbags in future designs, with Mercedes saying that all models will be equipped by 1985.

 

[drocca1992]

--Work In Progress--
1983 Model Year
Pretty similar to 1982, the last airbag holdouts continue to fit them. Trucks, vans, and SUVs have two more years to fit standard airbags.

GM: The LUV is discontinued, and the full-size vans add standard dual airbags this year. The full size Chevy C/K truck's previously optional passenger airbag becomes standard. All 1983 model GM vehicles have dual airbags standard.

Ford: The Courier is replaced by the Ranger in January 1982 (the Ranger is designated as an early 1983 model), and the full-size van's optional passenger airbag becomes standard. All 1983 model Ford vehicles have dual airbags standard.

Japanese imports: The Datsun truck gets a driver airbag standard this year.

Of 12,179,304 vehicles sold for 1983, 11,952,308, or 98.1%, have at least one airbag.

By August 31, 1983, an estimated 45,300 lives have been saved by airbags. About 60% of vehicles on the road have at least one airbag, and over 50% total have dual airbags.

List of 1983-model vehicles without dual airbags:
Standard driver/optional passenger airbag: None
Standard driver airbag: Toyota truck, Dodge Ram 50/Plymouth Arrow Truck, Mitsubishi Mighty Max, Datsun truck
No airbag: JEEP CJ, JEEP Scrambler, JEEP Wagoneer/Cherokee, Dodge/Plymouth full-size van, Mazda truck, Isuzu P'up

1984-model and future airbag plans: