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David Hassell
4 October 2011
<a href="http://www.goauto.com.au">http://www.goauto.com.au</a>
Holden engineers in Australia led the development of a world-first front-seat centre airbag that will debut globally in the US within a year and could be a key innovation in the next-generation VF Commodore due in 2014.
General Motors' groundbreaking front centre airbag deploys from the inboard side of the driver's seat to separate the driver and front seat passenger in the event of a side impact, offering vital head protection.
The new airbag development represents a coup for GM worldwide, stealing a march over European premium brands that pride themselves on being the leaders in the critical area of safety innovation.
Although Mercedes showed a similar system in an ESV (experimental safety vehicle) two years ago - about the same time Toyota presented a rear-seat version - GM claims its front centre airbag will be the first into series production.
Engineers at GM Holden developed the technology in conjunction with the acclaimed Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) in Melbourne before handing the project over to Detroit for production engineering.
The life-saving device will be introduced around the third quarter next year on three US domestic mid-size crossover models - the 2013 model year Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse - built at GM's Lansing, Michigan, plant.
Holden's lead role in the program was revealed to GoAuto this week by GM Holden director of external communications Emily Perry.
Ms Perry said that Holden Innovation - which was then a standalone think-tank but is now under Holden's general engineering umbrella - initiated the 'advance program' in 2006 and continued working on it until 2008, working with GM's US seat supplier.
"An advanced engineering team from Holden Innovation led the research and development of this safety technology and then handed it over to the safety group in North America to continue the work," she said.
"Research showed that far-side impact injuries represent nearly 40 per cent of all side impact injuries, but this area of research was lagging other occupant safety R&D.
"So the Holden Innovation team was aiming to advance understanding far-side restraint systems and develop new occupant protection systems for these types of accidents."
Ms Perry said Holden was studying the prospect of incorporating the airbag into locally produced models.
<a href="http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/33416C0CBA9AD6A3CA25791E001F602A">Click here to continue article</a>
4 October 2011
<a href="http://www.goauto.com.au">http://www.goauto.com.au</a>
Holden engineers in Australia led the development of a world-first front-seat centre airbag that will debut globally in the US within a year and could be a key innovation in the next-generation VF Commodore due in 2014.
General Motors' groundbreaking front centre airbag deploys from the inboard side of the driver's seat to separate the driver and front seat passenger in the event of a side impact, offering vital head protection.
The new airbag development represents a coup for GM worldwide, stealing a march over European premium brands that pride themselves on being the leaders in the critical area of safety innovation.
Although Mercedes showed a similar system in an ESV (experimental safety vehicle) two years ago - about the same time Toyota presented a rear-seat version - GM claims its front centre airbag will be the first into series production.
Engineers at GM Holden developed the technology in conjunction with the acclaimed Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) in Melbourne before handing the project over to Detroit for production engineering.
The life-saving device will be introduced around the third quarter next year on three US domestic mid-size crossover models - the 2013 model year Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse - built at GM's Lansing, Michigan, plant.
Holden's lead role in the program was revealed to GoAuto this week by GM Holden director of external communications Emily Perry.
Ms Perry said that Holden Innovation - which was then a standalone think-tank but is now under Holden's general engineering umbrella - initiated the 'advance program' in 2006 and continued working on it until 2008, working with GM's US seat supplier.
"An advanced engineering team from Holden Innovation led the research and development of this safety technology and then handed it over to the safety group in North America to continue the work," she said.
"Research showed that far-side impact injuries represent nearly 40 per cent of all side impact injuries, but this area of research was lagging other occupant safety R&D.
"So the Holden Innovation team was aiming to advance understanding far-side restraint systems and develop new occupant protection systems for these types of accidents."
Ms Perry said Holden was studying the prospect of incorporating the airbag into locally produced models.
<a href="http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/33416C0CBA9AD6A3CA25791E001F602A">Click here to continue article</a>
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