Was Volvo the last auto manufacturer to gift the world its patent to save life and limb?
- Thread starter GON
- Start date
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Name another.
I was thinking the same thing.
The American manufactures only do safety when forced to.
Fiat Research Center which then sold it to Bosch.
Not entirely true.
GM offered air bags as an option from 1973-1976. They pulled the option in 1977 due to lack of interest.
Ditto Ford with seatbelts c. 1956.
Heresy, but I actually found 3-point seatbelts a step down from the separate lap- and shoulder-belts in my '68 Chev.
I realize that I was one of the few who used both belts, but maintain that when used properly they are superior to 3-point belts.
I realize that I was one of the few who used both belts, but maintain that when used properly they are superior to 3-point belts.
We can thank Chrysler for designing a wheel that retains the tire after a blowout, the first minivan with rear cross path detection, blind spot monitors and obstacle detection for power sliding doors. They also had the first production 4 wheel computer controlled ABS system…. In 1971.
Chrysler invented/ took credit for split channel hydraulic brakes, which everyone else copied. (I am sure someone else made them earlier but Chrysler marketing stood up and took credit.)
It was only for a few years, when they had 4-wheel drums and diagonally split master cylinders. Front discs require radically different pressures (and, usually, power boosting) so they quietly changed it to front & rear axles. The feds didn't require dual-pot MCs until 1968!
It was only for a few years, when they had 4-wheel drums and diagonally split master cylinders. Front discs require radically different pressures (and, usually, power boosting) so they quietly changed it to front & rear axles. The feds didn't require dual-pot MCs until 1968!
Remember these (GM 1st Gen W-Body)? Supposedly, they were designed to allow the driver/passenger to exit the car without unbuckling the belt; default auto-belt system. The unfortunate thing was if the door ever opened in a wreck.....
The Toyota motorized belts, a silly invention due to DOT regulations for “passive” restraints was known to slice people open in a crash - the belt would get hard due to UV exposure and in effect become a knife.Remember these (GM 1st Gen W-Body)? Supposedly, they were designed to allow the driver/passenger to exit the car without unbuckling the belt; default auto-belt system. The unfortunate thing was if the door ever opened in a wreck.....
The Japanese are the same. Subarus were death traps in the 1980s. Now, they market themselves on safety.
Mercedes didn’t patent the crumple zone sometime in the 50s.
There were other door mounted shoulder belts-- VW Rabbits come to mind. They put some padding in the dash for the driver's knees so they didn't "have" to wear lap belts. And, if worn, the lap belt protected the driver in roll overs, side impacts, doors opening etc. It was a better cludge.
If manufacturers had their way they wouldn't have any safety features still and let people die once their money was exchanged
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I don't think that is entirely true.
However, it costs $$$$$ to manufacture and implement safety for vehicles. So a typical penny pinching company (or customer) would often opt for no safety.
My 59 Ford had the option of padded dash, and lapbelts. So few customers ordered it, Ford dropped it a few years later. Then Nader came along and in 1968 things began to be mandated.
So it's not just the manufacturers, it's the consumers too.
