Home

« NADER ATTACKS FOOTDRAGGING BY U.S. MAKERS, NHTSA | Main | HOW COMPANIES REACTED TO IIHS CRASH TESTS »

April 01, 2006

PLASTICS GAIN FROM EURO PEDESTRIAN PROTECTION RULES

The European Union's “stringent pedestrian protection rules” are increasing the use of energy-absorbing plastic in auto front-end parts, according to Automotive News. “To cope with the first phase of the regulations that took effect last October, some carmakers added plastic energy absorbers to front bumpers. Others may use plastic in the new designs of hoods, fenders and lightning systems, automakers and suppliers say.” The new two-phase requirements mean that manufacturers must provide greater crash-absorbing crush space on car front ends between the hood and the hard points – radiators, engines, etc. – under and behind it, so as to increase the management of energy in pedestrian impacts.

Posted by MVHAP at April 1, 2006 04:28 PM