State-of-the-Art Safety Systems

Autoliv has accounted for almost all major technological breakthroughs in automotive safety over the last 20 years and continues to be in the forefront of development. The new BMW 5-and 6- series are examples of new vehicles with many state-of-the-art safety products from Autoliv. (Both models are under the same contract).

1. KNEE AIRBAG
Today, when people's lives are saved by airbags and advanced seat belts, it is becoming increasingly important to also reduce knee and leg injuries so people not only survive but can walk and lead normal lives after a crash. Knee airbags protect both the knees and the upper legs. If the occupant is unbelted, the knee airbag enhances the protection effect of the frontal airbag. The knee airbags are standard in the BMW 6-series in the U.S. market where seat belt usage is lower than in many other markets. Knee airbags were originally introduced by Autoliv in 1996.

2. STEERING WHEEL
Most driver airbags are snapped into the steering wheels. Autoliv introduced this concept in 1995, which eliminates screwing operations at the vehicle assembly line and reduces material use and weight in the wheel. For the BMW 5-series, Autoliv delivers both the standard steering wheel and a special sports wheel. This sports wheel is standard in the BMW 6-series.

3. DRIVER AIRBAG
Is estimated to reduce driver fatalities in frontal crashes by approximately 25% (for belted drivers) and serious head injuries by over 60%. The driver airbag in both the new BMW 5- and 6-series utilizes a dual-stage inflator. Both stages are used in very severe crashes.

4. PASSENGER AIRBAG
Is estimated to reduce fatalities in frontal crashes by approximately 20% (for belted occupants). The passenger airbag in the new BMW 5- and 6-series has a dual-stage inflator that enables the airbag to absorb more crash energy if the crash is very violent.

5. THORAX SIDEBAG
Introduced by Autoliv in 1994 and estimated to reduce the risk of serious chest injuries in side-impact crashes by approximately 20%. In the new BMW 5- and 6- series, these bags are standard for both front-seat occupants and optional in the rear seat.

6. FRONTAL SEAT BELT SYSTEM
Is estimated to reduce the overall risk for serious injuries in crashes by 60-70%. Autoliv has produced seat belts for the car industry since 1956.

Load Limiters
The seat belt retractors have load limiters which pay out some webbing to reduce the seat belt load on the occupant's chest causing the excessive crash energy to be absorbed more uniformly by the frontal airbag. This reduces, in combination with pretensioners, the risk for life-threatening chest injuries by approximately 75% in frontal crashes. Introduced by Autoliv in 1995.

Buckle Pretensioners
The seat belts also have pretensioners that tighten the belt at the onset of a crash, using a small pyrotechnic charge that pulls the buckle downwards by up to 3 inches (8 centimeters). Introduced to the world market in 1989 by Autoliv.