The General is bragging about its new airbag

[JettaBoyJettaGirl]

What makes this http://www.freep.com/article/2011093...xt|FRONTPAGE|swhole thing even crazier is it wasn't too long ago automakers were doing anything they could to keep costs down & claimed that seatbelts offered the best protection you can get in a crash (I can still believe that one). None the less now that economies of scale have most probably lowered the costs of airbags they're putting them anywhere they can. At least this still looks more sensible than Honda's motorcycle airbag.

[DasHammer]

[FastGTi]

That image reminds me of

[flat6guy]

i don't see how that motorcycle airbag will save the rider when he/she is flying head-first into a tree

[whitejeep1989]

What is the issue here?

Are you opposed to airbags, GM, or all of the above?

[JettaBoyJettaGirl]

What is the issue here?

Are you opposed to airbags, GM, or all of the above?

No, as I explained above it wasn't too long ago how many automakers tried to avoid installing airbags in their cars to cut costs + their philosophy was safety belts are all you need for protection. Whereas now I find it ironic how many airbags they're installing in some of their rides now.

[rrr rr]

All occupants of a vehicle should have to wear an airbag suit that communicates with the car's computer.

[Hajduk]

No, as I explained above it wasn't too long ago how many automakers tried to avoid installing airbags in their cars to cut costs + their philosophy was safety belts are all you need for protection. Whereas now I find it ironic how many airbags they're installing in some of their rides now.

Carmakers don't like safety features when they are mandated by the government because when everyone has the same safety device it no longer becomes a unique feature they can market. It just becomes and added expense. However, they are happy to promote a new safety technology when they believe they have a jump on the market and can use it to sell cars. It's about marketing more than safety.

[curvedinfinity]

No, as I explained above it wasn't too long ago how many automakers tried to avoid installing airbags in their cars to cut costs + their philosophy was safety belts are all you need for protection. Whereas now I find it ironic how many airbags they're installing in some of their rides now.

10 airbags in a $13,700 Sonic

That center airbag is a decent idea. I'm not opposed to more airbags as long as they also come down in cost.

[Aonarch]

Moar air bags!

[2.0T_Convert]

Air bags to proect passengers from hitting eachother sounds like a good idea.

Next automakers need to build popup plastic lids over cupholders to protect you from scalding hot liquids.

[under the radar]

what is the deal...with all these airbags???

[a1veedubber]

I am beginning to think that the foam-filling cars from Demolition Man will soon become a reality.......


(I will take the 442 with lap belts)

[MCTB]

I am beginning to think that the foam-filling cars from Demolition Man will soon become a reality.......


(I will take the 442 with lap belts)

Thinking the exact same thing





that and the side airbag looks like a Scream mask to me...

[flat6guy]

Some creatures are declining built-in airbags because that are providing their own

[uncleho]

My wife's best friend's older brother died as a child when the car they were in was T-boned. Her brother's head hit his friend's head and they both died because of the cranial injuries.

Personally I can do without airbags (as a trade off for other things), but that is just me. And yes I would be at greater risk for sure.

Somebody was bound to do it. If it isn't airbag here and there it'll be cameras and sensors and all manner of other features.

[BRealistic]

Carmakers don't like safety features when they are mandated by the government because when everyone has the same safety device it no longer becomes a unique feature they can market. It just becomes and added expense. However, they are happy to promote a new safety technology when they believe they have a jump on the market and can use it to sell cars. It's about marketing more than safety.

Obviously, the price for implementing airbags has dropped exponentially.
That, and buyers now want airbags and are willing to pay (a small premium) for them.

[urbanx]

Does anyone know which vehicle currently on sale has the most airbags?

[VadGTI]

My wife's best friend's older brother died as a child when the car they were in was T-boned. Her brother's head hit his friend's head and they both died because of the cranial injuries.

Yep, about a decade ago there was a similar accident locally. A friend's dad was a responding officer on the scene. An IS300 lost control on a curve and smacked something. The driver and passenger hit heads and both died of cranial injuries.

[DrFrisker]

Thinking the exact same thing





that and the side airbag looks like a Scream mask to me...

what's to keep the foam from getting in your nose and mouth orifices and strangling you?

[TOMPASS]

10 airbags in a $13,700 Sonic

That center airbag is a decent idea. I'm not opposed to more airbags as long as they also come down in cost.

And, unfortunately, if 2 of them deploy in a relatively minor accident, its probably a total loss.

[Boogety Boogety]

what's to keep the foam from getting in your nose and mouth orifices and strangling you?

Silly boy... it's not in the script...

[VadGTI]

what's to keep the foam from getting in your nose and mouth orifices and strangling you?

ACDelco SmartFoam™

[compy222]

as ridiculous as this may look, in the super dangerous T crash - in which a motorcycle has a car turn left in front of it - it is hugely effective. when a motorcyclist t-bones a car, the rider flies forward and usually contacts the a, b, or c pillar or worse, the roofline. this is usually fatal as the cyclist will suffer massive head trauma or spinal trauma. the wedge shaped airbag pushes the rider upwards, vertically, away from the hard metal of a car.

[JettaBoyJettaGirl]

as ridiculous as this may look, in the super dangerous T crash - in which a motorcycle has a car turn left in front of it - it is hugely effective. when a motorcyclist t-bones a car, the rider flies forward and usually contacts the a, b, or c pillar or worse, the roofline. this is usually fatal as the cyclist will suffer massive head trauma or spinal trauma. the wedge shaped airbag pushes the rider upwards, vertically, away from the hard metal of a car.

That exact crash happened to me on my motorcycle. I was going through an intersection when a Honda Prelude decided it could make a quick left and beat all oncoming traffic right when the light turned green (I'm sure you've seen that before). Well she didn't see my bike coming towards the intersection and took me by surprise when she made that quick left in front of me. I banged into the Prelude's rear quarter panel while slamming on my brakes. I guess I hit the car at 15 MPH. My left leg was hurt after the crash. I walked around with crutches for about a week and my leg slowly repaired itself. I do remember my head hitting my bike's windshield when I hit the Prelude or Qualude as I've always called them I did have my helmet on though, and no damage was done.

[TurboWraith]

as ridiculous as this may look, in the super dangerous T crash - in which a motorcycle has a car turn left in front of it - it is hugely effective. when a motorcyclist t-bones a car, the rider flies forward and usually contacts the a, b, or c pillar or worse, the roofline. this is usually fatal as the cyclist will suffer massive head trauma or spinal trauma. the wedge shaped airbag pushes the rider upwards, vertically, away from the hard metal of a car.

Also, keeps the rider from smashing through the front fairing and controls of that 'wing. ;-)

[SpecialFX]

as ridiculous as this may look, in the super dangerous T crash - in which a motorcycle has a car turn left in front of it - it is hugely effective. when a motorcyclist t-bones a car, the rider flies forward and usually contacts the a, b, or c pillar or worse, the roofline. this is usually fatal as the cyclist will suffer massive head trauma or spinal trauma. the wedge shaped airbag pushes the rider upwards, vertically, away from the hard metal of a car.

Quoted for truth. Cost my Dad the ability to ever walk again. Ironically he was on a Goldwing, but it didn't have that air bag system

[rexxmann]

I thought it was an emergency cotton candy dispenser in case of low blood-sugar.

[VertigoGTI]

Tentacle hentai is soon to be replaced by airbag hentai.

[KeiCar]

as ridiculous as this may look, in the super dangerous T crash - in which a motorcycle has a car turn left in front of it - it is hugely effective. when a motorcyclist t-bones a car, the rider flies forward and usually contacts the a, b, or c pillar or worse, the roofline. this is usually fatal as the cyclist will suffer massive head trauma or spinal trauma. the wedge shaped airbag pushes the rider upwards, vertically, away from the hard metal of a car.

Really? I t-boned a car going about 40 or so and supermaned over the car and landed on the road beyond the car. Guess its because I weigh less then 150lbs might have something to do with it...

[atomicalex]

I think I know the guy who is responsible for this. He's a retiree from the NASCAR safety group at GM, who invented the center net. It's reduced injuries for quite a few racers.

That 'wing pic always cracks me up, but I know the bag is effective.

[Elbows]

From the passenger seat - wouldn't it look like this?

[03GTI4Me]

From the passenger seat - wouldn't it look like this?

You just made me wake up my wife.

[MCTB]

what's to keep the foam from getting in your nose and mouth orifices and strangling you?

Hollywood?


Glad to see Im not the only one to point out that is looks like a Scream mask to me. We should all just wear high vis vests and helmets when we get into the car.

[InternetMeme]

What happened to the good ole' days when cars were designed for you to slide your entire body under the protective dashboard of the car in the event of a car accident. All these damn airbags now