<p> ANNEX 6 Vehicle Design - Questions and Responses from BMW (GB) Ltd </p><p>1 In the USA in the 1970/80s Not at all popular with motorists. One of the main problems was Honda and others used a concern by the user that the automatic system might not seat belts that automatically release them in case of an accident. Significant variation in driver strapped the driver and size was another issue. front seat passenger in. Why was this system not generally adopted? </p><p>2 Why did others not follow Many manufacturers (including BMW) employ a warning noise the Volvo initiative of a loud when front occupants do not use the seat belt. BMW supports annoying noise stopping this approach, although it can be a nuisance if the driver wishes only when belts were done to place heavy objects on the seat. Cost implications become up? more important for high volume manufacturers in a strongly price-conscious market.</p><p>3 Most vehicles still do not ISOFIX - I will check this point with my colleagues in Brussels use ISOFIX child seat and come back to you. mountings, will this improve? 4 Some manufacturers are Tailgating and fatigue are tricky to deal with as they have a developing automatic subjective element to them. As an example, radar-controlled devices to warn against distance measurement is being introduced which, acting in tailgating, fatigue conjunction with automatic cruise control, can maintain a (Mazda/Renault?), and required distance between the driven car and the car in front. pedestrian detection could However, different drivers have different ideas of how close they these become more want to drive to the car in front, even though there might be a common? minimum safe distance based on reaction time, stopping time and weather conditions. Indeed, if the minimum safe distance were fully respected, this is likely to be so far behind the car in front that other, less cautious drivers are likely to overtake on the inside and take up the space they believe is available. Pedestrian detection. BMW response is to allow the driver some flexibility in setting the distance at which the radar controlled braking cuts in. A cautious driver will then set this distance so that the automatic braking begins before he would brake himself.</p><p>5 Is pedestrian safety Car manufacturers take pedestrian safety very seriously indeed. becoming a serious See comments about EU voluntary agreement. This is however consideration (Honda a very complex issue due to the different height of children and Civic’s good pedestrian adults as well as the difference between young and old. The best impact rating) approach is always physical separation of cars and people. Various research work is being done, for example, to see whether a pedestrian detector can be devised which might set off an air bag at the front of the car to protect the pedestrian before impact, but this can give unpredictable results which might make things worse. European Commission to establish appropriate design treatment for child and pedestrian protection on frontal impact. The car industry is ready to make ABS braking a standard fitment on new cars. The huge variety of other devices will, I believe, find its own level of utilisation and acceptance, depending on the usefulness and cost of the device.</p><p>088eda02c3ee7e39f6cf11f030b7347e.doc BV8 - page 2</p><p>6 Automatic cruise control set a) Automatic cruise controls set to speed limits. to speed limits / alcohol BMW does not support artificially constraining the driver's detector to prevent freedom and responsibilities in respect of speed limits because ignition - no doubt both we believe that there is always the possibility that acceleration these are currently might be necessary to avoid an accident. Having said that, we do possible, are there signs generally limit the top speed of our cars electronically. We also such measures might provide a warning signal if the driver exceeds a speed which he become accepted by can easily set. In the future, it is likely that navigation systems drivers will be able to provide such a warning signal automatically. b) Alcohol detector This is another tricky item. Alcohol from the windscreen washer can often be smelt strongly inside especially if the car if the window is slightly open. The passenger might have a high alcohol content also. Even a warning signal might have some legal implications.</p><p>7 Warning buzzers if rear Rear seat belt warning lights. Main issue is goods being carried seat passengers not using on the back seat, which is a very frequent occurrence, especially seatbelts - are there plans when going on holiday. for this system to be implemented? </p><p>8 Bigger receptacles in front Generally space restrictions determine this and rear might reduce number of heavy objects flying around in a crash (even if only hardbound road atlases etc.)</p><p>General Comments from John Hollis Head of Government and Industrial Affairs BMW (GB) Ltd:</p><p>Automatic devices assisting the driver are and will become more common. Manufacturers have to balance providing attractive features with their cost and the price. However, competitive pressures to offer useful adjuncts to the basic vehicle functions will increase as time goes by. Generally speaking, these sorts of devices first appear on the more expensive, higher spec vehicles first, then as volumes increase and costs come down with economies of scale, if they are found to be useful, they percolate down the model ranges. This happened with disc brakes, seat belts, air bags, ABS catalytic converters and is currently happening with traction control, parking guidance and other technologies, as well as the more widespread use of air bags in the rear passenger compartment and elsewhere. Once the usage rate reaches a relatively high level and the volumes are sufficiently high to make availability quite general, in the past, some of these items have been singled out for legislative/compulsory fitment. In the current climate, the motor industry prefers to undertake voluntary actions to meets such concerns. So negotiations are going on at the moment with the European Commission to establish appropriate design treatment for child and pedestrian protection on frontal impact. The car industry is ready to make ABS braking a standard fitment on new cars. The huge variety of other devices will, I believe, find its own level of utilisation and acceptance, depending on the usefulness and cost of the device.</p><p>088eda02c3ee7e39f6cf11f030b7347e.doc</p>