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Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) today congratulated the Victorian
government on its new campaign to promote fitment of side airbags and stability
control to new cars, but stated that the initiative did not go far enough.
"We applaud the Victorian government's decision to alert the public of the
importance of this life-saving technology", said Kevin McCann, Sales and
Marketing Director at Hyundai. "However this is a national, industry-wide
issue and this campaign, whilst welcome, is hardly scratching the surface of the
issue".
Hyundai believes part of the problem lies in the delayed adoption of latest
generation safety technology by some local manufacturers. Hyundai Motor Company
Australia suggests a range of far-reaching actions intended to maximise consumer
uptake of side airbags and stability control, both of which have been available
as part of Hyundai's Protectz Pack since February 2006. Hyundai believes
that an appropriate Federal body should lead a national review, in concert with
the automotive industry and the federal government, to increase consumer demand
for safety equipment in new cars sold. Areas for review should include:
- The cancellation of GST and Import Duty currently payable on these
technologies.
- A national public information campaign, providing detailed statistical data
to reduce the accident incidence and injuries sustained by cars fitted with
additional safety equipment.
- Standardisation of the terms used to describe safety equipment, -
particularly stability control (which is presented as Electronic Stability
Control in the Victorian government's advertisement but is also well known in
the market as Electronic Stability Program, or ESP); and
- The Federal government's consideration regarding the mandatory fitment of
side airbags and stability control.
"Hyundai has long championed the availability of affordable safety equipment
in new cars, but buyers have so far proved reluctant to pay extra for it",
McCann added. "We strongly feel the Government needs to take a position of
leadership regarding safety equipment, to educate new car buyers and remove
barriers to its acceptance".
Motoring expert and road safety commentator, John Cadogan supported the
Hyundai position, “ESP is the most significant safety advance since the
seatbelt. And it amazes me how few buyers in the market are aware of what it is
and what it does. No other technology comes close to its ability to reduce the
$17billion annual impost to the Australian community arising from road trauma”
“Governments at all levels must leave vested interest behind and treat this
like the vital public safety issue that it really is” Cadogan said
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