Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Occupant Technical Workgroup Meeting October 25, 2001

1. Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Occupant Technical Workgroup Meeting October 25, 2001 General Motors Corporation

2. Outline • GM Approach to Side Air Bag Development • Laboratory Test Procedure Evolution • Side Air Bag Configurations • Side Air Bag Implementation Schedule • Field Experience with Side Air Bags • Conclusions

3. GM Approach to Side Air Bag Development • GM strives to continuously improve the performance of its • vehicles to enhance customer safety • Examine real world performance, using field data analysis, to • guide technological enhancements • During side air bag development, GM applied the knowledge and • experience from the frontal air bag’s potential for inducing injury • Since side air bags are not regulated, GM’s approach limits the • side air bag’s aggressivity while still providing additional protection • GM established stringent self-imposed internal performance guidelines • using the 3 year old, 6 year old and 5th female ATD in out-of-position • conditions prior to releasing the first production side air bag

4. Laboratory Test Procedure Development • Studied real children of various ages in numerous in-vehicle • positions - - both normally seated as well as out-of-position. • Data from this study were analyzed, by a peer group of experts, • resulting in a suite of test conditions that represented foreseeable • real world out-of-position conditions in both the front and rear seat. • These test conditions included ATD occupant sizes ranging from • 3 & 6 year old children to adults including small women. The tests • comprehended all relevant body regions from head and neck to • thorax and pelvis. • These tests were formally implemented into GM internal Bluebook • and applied to the first side air bag vehicle - - 1997 Cadillac DeVille

5. Laboratory Test Procedure Development • Example tests from early Bluebook are similar to TWG procedures • In 2000, the GM Bluebook was revised to comprehend the TWG • test procedures and they are now a formal part of GM’s vehicle • development process • Strive to meet both reference and research performance levels • Performance variation occurs from test to test and should be expected

6. Side Air Bag Configurations • Side air bags are continuing through their evolution • Initial GM side air bags were door mounted • Adaptation of driver air bag technology • Side impact sensing presents unique challenges • Seat mounted thorax bags followed • Thorax bags were enlarged to provide head protection • Roof rail mounted curtains emerged • Vehicle rollover curtains are next frontier

7. 2002 2001 1997 1998 2000 Saturn S Coupe, Sedan, Wagon Park Avenue DeVille Venture Saturn VUE LeSabre Trans Sport Saturn L Sedan, Wagon Bonneville Silhouette Rendezvous Seville Monte Carlo DeVille (optional rear) Trailblazer Trailblazer EXT Aztek Envoy Prizm Impala Envoy XL Century Regal Bravada Aurora Denali Tahoe Escalade Yukon Avalanche Suburban Escalade EXT Yukon XL Side Air Bag Implementation Schedule • 2001 MY and later GM vehicles were developed in accordance with TWG procedures • 2000 MY and earlier vehicles were developed to GM internal Bluebook specifications and • therefore are expected to perform well in the TWG procedures

8. Field Experience with Side Air Bags • Although only a relatively small amount of field data exists, • GM side air bag systems appear to be performing well • Injuries attributable to side air bags tend to be bruises and muscle strains • More serious injuries are attributable to the forces of the crash itself • One 76 year old driver experienced an AIS-3 thorax injury reportedly due to • contact with an air bag cover flap on a door mounted side air bag system • GM is not aware of any other instances of serious injuries attributable to • inflation forces • Since GM applied internal OOP performance guidelines to its first • and all subsequent production side air bags, field performance of • newer side air bags developed using the industry standardized • procedures is expected to be similar

9. Conclusions • Customer safety is always a top priority • Continually strive to improve performance as technology emerges • Exhibited responsible behavior in absence of regulation • Developed comprehensive test procedures quickly • Exemplary process could be a role model for other areas where • technology advances faster than regulatory process • Suggest continued TWG interaction as new knowledge or • experience becomes available