AHEAD -- 20 MORE U.S. CAR CHANGES

Engineering staff at the Ford Motor Company made a search of present and proposed requlations that would require future automotive design changes. Over 20 different programs were revealed. There are regulations affecting safety, emissions, damageability, noise, fuel economy, and radio reception. Federal sources of these regulations include the Environmental Protection Agency, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Federal Energy Administration, and Congress. It is felt by the staff at Ford Motor Company that these regulations should be re-examined with consideration given to their cost effectiveness. The necessity for some of these regulation is also questioned. One of many examples presented in this report serves to illustrate how the government is adding millions of dollars to car costs. For 1976, the NHTSA will require several test "hits" on the bumpers by a pendulum equal to the maximum car curb weight at 16 in. (40 cm) above the ground on all corners. This slight test change means new rear bumpers on several models and new front and rear bumpers on several others. Both Ford and General Motors have requested a delay in this standard, saying that the change is worthless. In regard to the requested 40 percent fuel economy improvement by 1978, top automotive people have initially been favorable, but consider the request meaningless until the fine print of the 40 percent reduction is spelled out.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/31209162
• Corporate Authors:

  Automotive Industries International

  Chilton Way
  Radnor, PA  United States  19089
• Authors:
  • CALLAHAN, J M
• Publication Date: 1974-12-10

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 25-27
• Serial:
  • Automotive Industries
  • Volume: 151
  • Issue Number: 12
  • Publisher: Randall Publishing Company
  • ISSN: 1099-4130
  • Serial URL: http://www.ai-online.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile industry; Automobiles; Cost effectiveness; Costs; Design standards; Energy; Fuel consumption; Regulations; Specifications; Testing
• Old TRIS Terms: Testing costs
• Subject Areas: Energy; Finance; Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00083706
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 8 1975 12:00AM