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Increasing number of safety devices and front side air bags
being installed as standard equipment in Japanese market
Greater number of ESCs becoming standard equipment;
with pre-crash systems becoming more widely available on new 2009 vehicle models

Nov. 5, 2009 No.821

 

Side airbags, active head restraints, and ESC systems come as standard equipment in new...
The standard installation rate of front side airbags and curtain airbags increases to 18%
Front side airbags are being installed in 43% of Toyota vehicles and 100% of Lexus vehicles...
Percentage of vehicles installed with brake assist systems as standard equipment varies little...

Executive Summary

  Among safety devices being installed on passenger cars marketed in Japan by Japanese automobile manufacturers between January and July 2009, we noted that the percentage of vehicles coming with factory-installed front side airbags and curtain airbags as standard equipment had increased to almost 18% according to data from JATO Dynamics. As of 2007, the percentage for these airbags was under 7%. The percentage in 2009 for frontal active restraints climbed to 25.5% from 20.2% in 2007.

   In July 2007, Toyota announced that it would install front side airbags and active head restraints as standard equipment in new cars in the future. The notable increase in these devices becoming factory-installed, standard equipment is being driven by Toyota's initiative.

   The percentage of accident-prevention safety equipment being installed as standard equipment is currently 87% for ABSs, 85% for EBDs (Electronic brake distribution) systems, and 64% for brake assist systems. The standard installation rate of ESC (Electronic Stability Control) systems remains low at 15%, in spite of the fact they have been recognized as effective in stabilizing vehicles while driving, according to the New Car Assessment Programs conducted in Europe and the USA. However, the percentage being installed as standard equipment in 2007 was only 9%.

   In the following, we report on various safety features being installed among all new passenger cars sold in Japan by Japanese automobile manufacturers between January and October 2009. In addition, we also provide installation rates of major safety systems being installed as either standard or optional equipment in passenger cars sold by Japanese auto manufacturers in the Japanese market, starting from 2005 up to the January-July period in 2009. The information is based on data provided by JATO Dynamics.

 

Trend in the percentage of safety devices being installed as standard equipment in Japan

(Note) The percentages are for devices being installed as standard equipment in vehicles sold by Japanese automobile manufacturers in the Japanese market. The data is from JATO Dynamics.
Figures for 2009 are the actual results for the January through July 2009 period.

 

Side airbags, active head restraints, and ESC systems come as standard equipment in new vehicles launched in 2009

  A notable increase can be seen in the number of collision safety equipment such as front side airbags, curtain shield airbags, and front active head restraints (or neck injury reduction seats) being installed as standard equipment in new cars launched in Japan by Japanese auto manufacturers between January and October 2009. However, we need to add that more of these cars are the manufacturers' higher end models. In addition, there are a quite a few number of vehicles that are available with pre-crash safety systems.

   ESC (Electronic Stability Control) systems, which until now have not been installed as standard equipment in large numbers in Japan, are also starting to emerge as standard equipment, too. (What we refer to here as "ESC" systems are referred by different names depending on manufacturer.)

Collision-safety systems that are used in new passenger cars sold in Japan by Japanese auto manufacturers in 2009

"New cars" refer to both existing vehicle models that underwent full model changes and also new vehicle models launched for the first time. The exceptions were vehicles produced on an OEM basis and derivatives. The data is based on press releases announced by the individual manufacturers and on information available on their respective online catalogues as of late October 2009.
Some devices such as driving stability systems and other safety devices are also included.

 

Collision safety systems and driving stability systems

Toyota SAI
(Dec. 2009)
(plan)

  This vehicle comes with a total of seven airbags (front, side, curtain shield, and knee on the driver's seat) as standard equipment. Side airbags and seat belts with pre-tensioners and force limiters are available for the rear seats,.

  This vehicle comes with front active head restraints as standard equipment. These restraints reposition themselves into the most suitable position possible during a rear-end collision to reduce the impact on the neck and minimize whiplash injuries. Also coming as standard equipment is an emergency brake signal. When the driver steps hard on the brakes, the signal activates and the rear-end brake-lights flash to warn drivers in back.

  A millimeter-wave-radar pre-crash safety system is available on this vehicle. When the system detects the possibility of a collision, it alerts the driver with a warning buzzer and an up-front display. In addition, in case there is a possibility of a collision, various systems are activated such as the pre-crash brake assist, pre-crash brakes, and/or pre-crash seat belts.

  A millimeter-wave-radar rear-end, pre-crash safety system is available on this vehicle. When the system detects a vehicle approaching from behind and senses that a crash might be eminent, hazard lights flash. And when the possibility of a rear-end crash is determined to be high, the headrest moves into the optimal position to protect the driver from whiplash.

  This vehicle has S-VSC (Steering-assisted Vehicle Stability Control) as standard equipment. It coordinates and controls the vehicle's power, steering, and braking mechanisms so as to stabilize the vehicle.

Toyota Mark X
(Oct. 2009)

  This vehicle's standard equipment includes: (1) a total of seven airbags (front, side, curtain shield, and knee for the driver's seat); (2) an active head restraint for the front seat; (3) VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), which prevents lateral skidding while turning; (4) and TRC (Traction Control), which prevents slipping while the vehicle accelerates. In addition, a millimeter-wave-radar front pre-crash safety system is optional.

Toyota Land
Cruiser Prado
(Sep. 2009)

  This vehicle's standard equipment includes seven airbags: front (a dual-stage airbag for driver's seat), side, curtain shield, and knee (driver's seat); an active head restraint for the front seat; and VSC&TRC. A millimeter-wave-radar pre-crash safety system can be installed as optional equipment.

Lexus HS250h
(Jul. 2009)

  This vehicle's standard equipment includes eight airbags (front dual-stage airbag, side, curtain shield, and knee); and an active head restraint for the front seat. For the rear seat, there is also a side airbag that can also be installed as optional equipment, although it does come as standard equipment on some models.

  The top-of-the-line HS250h comes with a millimeter-wave-radar pre-crash safety system with a driver monitor, and a rear pre-crash safety system, as standard equipment. The millimeter-wave-radar pre-crash safety system is optional in standard models.

  This vehicle comes with S-VSC, TRC, and an emergency braking signal as standard equipment. LKA (Lane Keeping Assist) is available as standard equipment on some vehicle models.

Toyota Prius
(May 2009)

  This vehicle comes with six airbags (front, side, and curtain shield) and an active head restraint in the front seat as standard equipment.

  This vehicle comes with S-VSC & TRC and an emergency braking signal as standard equipment. A millimeter-wave-radar pre-crash safety system and a radar cruise control with brake control can be installed as optional equipment, although these are available as standard equipment on some vehicle models.

Lexus IS 250C
(May 2009)

  This vehicle's standard equipment includes six airbags (dual-stage front-seat airbags for the driver and twin-chamber ones for the passenger); new head and chest side airbags, which protects the head as well as the chest; and knee airbags.

  This vehicle's standard equipment includes VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management), which integrates and controls power, braking, and steering; and TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System). A millimeter-wave-radar pre-crash safety system can be installed as optional equipment.

  VDIM integrates and controls the following systems: ABS, EBD, VSC, TRC, and EPS, enabling the vehicle to maintain its stability while traveling over slippery roads. VDIM is able to maintain a high level of performance in the area of preventative safety and smooth drive.

Toyota Wish
(Apr. 2009)

  This vehicle comes with six airbags (front, side, and curtain shield for the 1st to 3rd rows); and an active head restraint for the front seat, as standard equipment. S-VSC also comes as standard equipment.

Toyota
Crown Majesta
(Mar. 2009)

  This vehicle comes with ten airbags as standard equipment. They include front airbags, with dual-stage ones for the passenger seat; side airbags for both front and rear seats; curtain shield airbags, and knee airbags. It also comes with an active head restraint in the front seat as standard equipment; however on some grades, it is only available for the driver's seat. In addition, a rear center airbag that deploys in a lateral collision to help prevent secondary injuries is available on some grades as standard equipment. Toyota claims that this is the first of such system in the world.

  A millimeter-wave-radar pre-crash safety system or a pre-crash safety system linked to the emergency brake comes as standard equipment. When the system linked to the brake senses that the brakes have been slammed on, or that the car is out of control, it tightens the front-seat seat belt to reduce injuries.

  Optional equipment includes a millimeter-wave radar, and a stereo camera fusion front and rear pre-crash safety system, which comes with a driver-monitoring system. On some grades, customers can choose to include a pre-crash seat back system.

  Customers can also choose to add a front-side, pre-crash safety system to the stereo camera fusion pre-crash safety system. This system enhances the response of side and curtain shield airbags when it detects the possibility of a front-side or lateral collision occurring at intersections, for example. Toyota says that this is the first system of its type in the world.

  A driver-monitoring system monitors the driver through a camera mounted on the steering column. The system continues to monitor the driver and if it senses that the driver is not alert facing straight ahead or that the driver's eyes remain closed for a certain period of time, it sounds an alarm and displays a warning. And in addition, if it senses an even greater possibility of a collision, an alarm brake is activated.

  A pre-crash seat back system, which automatically returns a reclining back-seat to its upright position, is able to detect the possibility of a front-end or rear-end crash, thus offering protection to passengers seated in the rear seat by mitigating their injuries. Toyota says that this systems is the world's first.

  This vehicle comes with VDIM as standard equipment. VDIM integrates and controls power, braking, and steering.

Lexus RX350
(Jan. 2009)
Lexus RX450h
(Apr. 2009)

  This vehicle comes with eight airbags as standard equipment. They include a dual-stage front airbag for the driver and a twin-chamber airbag for the passenger seat, side airbags, curtain shield airbags, and knee airbags. In addition, an active head restraint for the front seat comes as standard equipment. A rear airbag is also available as optional equipment, although it does come as standard equipment on some vehicle models.

  VDIM is available as standard equipment on this model and a millimeter-wave-radar pre-crash safety system is available as optional equipment.

Honda
StepWGN
(Oct. 2009)

  This vehicle comes with an i-SRS airbag in the driver's seat as standard equipment. It continuously monitors the vehicle's condition, inflating quickly, slowly, or for long periods in response to an occupant's seating position or in response to variances in the circumstances of the collision.

  Customers can choose to install a system that reduces lateral-collision impacts. (This system comes as standard equipment on some vehicles.) It comes with i-side airbags, which detect front-seat passengers' positions, and side curtain airbags for all three rows.

  This vehicle comes equipped with neck-injury-reduction seats for the driver and passengers. It mitigates impact to the neck during rear-end collisions at low speed.

  Some grades of this vehicle come with pre-crash systems as standard equipment, such as a CMBS (Collision Mitigation Brake System) and an E-pretensioner for both the driver and passenger seats. A millimeter-wave radar system that detects cars running ahead of the vehicle, sounds an alarm, lights up a warning display, and activates a body sensory alarm when there is the possibility of a collision occurring. When a rear-end collision with a vehicle ahead is considered to be unavoidable, the system automatically brakes the vehicle hard and tightens the seat belt. Also, it tightens the seat belt when the brake assist is activated during sudden braking.

  This vehicle's optional equipment includes ABS, which prevents locking of the wheels during braking; TCS, which prevents slipping during acceleration; and VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist), which controls lateral skidding while turning, helping to control erratic changes in driving and enhancing stability. On some grades, this system comes as standard equipment.

Honda Insight
(Feb. 2009)

  This vehicle comes with a front-seat i-side airbag and a side curtain airbag in a set. The front-seat i-side airbag has a sensor that is built in the passenger seat and detects the physical size and position of an occupant. It detects a side collision from the left and right, and the middle of the vehicle, activating at the optimal timing. An active head restraint for the front seat comes as standard equipment. Also, VSA can be installed as an option, but it does come as standard equipment in some vehicle models.

Nissan
Skyline Crossover
(Jul. 2009)

  This vehicle's standard equipment includes six air bags (front, side, and curtain, with side airbags only for the front seats) and an active head restraint for the front seat. VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) is also standard equipment.

  This vehicle can come with an optional Intelligent Brake Assist feature that activates when the driver cannot avoid a rear-end collision with the vehicle up ahead, and a emergency operated pre-crash seatbelt for the front seat, which immediately tightens in coordination with the Brake Assist system when it activates.

  A FCW (Forward Collision Warning) system comes as optional equipment. It alerts the driver with an upfront display and alarm when the vehicle is traveling at 15km/hr and is closing in on a car up ahead.

  This vehicle comes with two devices as optional equipment. One is a LDW (Lane Departure Warning) system that alerts the driver with a buzz sound and an upfront display when the vehicle is about to leave the driving lane on its own rather than being steered by the driver. This is made possible with a built-in camera that monitors lane markers, distinguishing the vehicle's relative position from the lane markers.
The other device is a LDP (Lane Departure Prevention)system. It controls the brakes on each wheel by applying short intervals of power so as to return a vehicle that has crossed into another driving lane back to the correct lane.

Mazda Axela
(Jun. 2009)

  Curtain and front side airbags are available as either as standard or optional equipment depending on the vehicle model. Double pre-tensioner mechanisms on the driver's seat, which tighten two areas, namely the shoulder and hip areas, come as standard equipment. A front active head restraint comes as standard equipment.

  This vehicle's standard equipment consists of an Emergency Signal System (ESS). When the vehicle is traveling at 50km/hr or more and the driver slams on the brakes, this system warns drivers traveling behind by flashing a hazard lamp at high speed.

  This vehicle comes with a DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system as either standard or optional equipment depending on the vehicle model. As optional equipment there is a Rear Vehicle Monitoring System (RVM), which activates an indicator light built in the door mirror when a car from behind traveling at 60km/hr or more is fast approaching in the next lane.

  Mazda offered a RVM system on its redesigned Atenza as optional equipment when it released it in January 2008, and also on the CX-7, which underwent a minor change in September 2009.

Suzuki Kizashi
(Oct. 2009)

  This vehicle comes with nine airbags as standard equipment (front, side for the front and rear seats, curtain, and knee for the driver's seat). This is the first Suzuki vehicle to come with nine airbags. It uses a variable two-stage seat belt force limiter.

  This vehicle comes with brake assist and EBD systems as standard equipment. Also as standard equipment is the ESP(R) (Electronic Stability Program), which integrates and controls the engine and the brakes to prevent skidding and slipping. (ESP(R) is a registered trademark of Daimler).

Subaru Legacy
(May 2009)

  This vehicle comes with dual-stage front airbags, larger front side airbags, and curtain airbags as either standard equipment or optional equipment depending on the vehicle model. The driver's seat belt is a double pre-tensioner seat belt. The load limiter on the front seat belt is a variable type.

  The company completely redesigned the seat by improving the level of firmness and mounting an energy-absorbing head rest to help reduce whiplash. It comes with VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control), brake assist, and EBD systems as standard equipment.

 

The standard installation rate of front side airbags and curtain airbags increases to 18%

  The percentage of cars sold in Japan that come with front-mounted side airbags as standard equipment, that protect the chest and the head in lateral collisions, grew significantly to 18.1%, when compared with the 6.8% in 2007. And the percentage of cars with curtain airbags for two rows coming as standard equipment increased to 13.5%. In 2008, the combined percentage of all curtain airbags, including curtain airbags for three rows and front curtain airbags installed as standard equipment, was 17.6% compared to 6.4% in 2007.

   The percentage of front active head restraints installed as standard equipment reached 25.5%. These restraints are designed to reduce neck injuries in collisions. On the other hand, there has not been any notable improvement in the percentage of safety equipment such as seat belts for use in rear middle seats and third-row seats being installed as standard equipment.

Standard installation rate of electronic brake systems grows: 85% of EBDs and 64% of brake assist systems come as standard equipment


  The standard installation rate of electronic brake distribution (EBD) systems was 84.7% and that for brake assist systems was 64.4%. However, the percentage of vehicles sold in Japan with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard equipment was just 15.3%. The percentage was 13.6% when it came to ESC being installed as optional equipment. On the other hand, Japanese brand cars sold in the USA and Europe have higher percentages of installation rates of ESC: 63.9% and 54.5% in the US and Europe, respectively.

   When it comes to advanced, high-tech, pre-crash systems such as collision warning systems, brake assist systems with preview, and distance sensor cruise control systems, we found that the percentage of vehicles coming equipped with these as standard equipment was less than 1% for each system; and the combined percentage of vehicles coming with these as standard and optional equipment was less than 5.0%.

 

Major safety systems installed as standard equipment in passenger cars sold in Japan by Japanese automobile manufacturers:

(Notes) 1. The information here on the installation rates of major safety systems in passenger cars sold by Japanese automobile manufacturers in Japan is based on JATO Dynamics' data. Mini cars are included but imported cars sold under European, US, and Korean brands were not included. All rights reserved. Reproduction of these tables without prior consent from JATO Dynamics is strictly prohibited.
2. Data under "Optional" refers to the number of cars for which customers were given the option to install safety equipment, and not necessarily the number of cars on which the equipment was actually installed.
3. The figures given for standard and optional installation rates are in relation to the number of all new passenger cars sold. The number of new cars sold, which exclude European, American and Korean imports, was 4,481,490 in 2005, 4,384,777 in 2006, 4,156,145 in 2007, 4,018,863 in 2008, and 2,118,898 in January-July 2009, according to JATO's data.
4. Safety systems highlighted in yellow backgrounds show availability by make, and have been included here.
 
Standard installation (units)
Standard installation (%)
2006
2007
2008
2005
2006
2007
2008
Jan.-Jul.
2009

Collision damage reduction (seat belts)

Front seat belts
pre-tensioners

4,371,254

4,152,920

4,016,152

99.6%

99.7%

99.9%

99.9%

99.9%

3 point seat belts
(center rear)

653,712

600,830

563,241

13.1%

14.9%

14.5%

14.0%

17.5%

lap-type seat belts
(center rear)

2,073,374

1,970,993

1,842,375

53.8%

47.3%

47.4%

45.8%

39.6%

Third row seat belts

898,718

842,194

792,887

22.1%

20.5%

20.3%

19.7%

18.8%

Isofix preparation

3,122,143

2,944,957

2,859,773

68.7%

71.2%

70.9%

71.2%

69.6%

Collision damage reduction (airbags)

Driver front airbag

4,370,350

4,149,491

4,013,108

99.7%

99.7%

99.8%

99.9%

99.9%

Passenger front airbag

4,355,116

4,141,208

4,003,834

99.1%

99.3%

99.6%

99.6%

99.5%

Front side airbag

182,786

282,117

554,279

3.5%

4.2%

6.8%

13.8%

18.1%

Rear side airbag

11,227

11,584

71,168

0.2%

0.3%

0.3%

1.8%

1.1%

Front roof airbag

1,318

497

1,821

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.3%

Front to rear roof airbag

154,922

248,455

403,061

2.8%

3.5%

6.0%

10.0%

13.5%

all 3 rows roof airbag

91

14,935

97,975

0.0%

0.0%

0.4%

2.4%

3.8%

Knee airbags

203,333

235,632

266,782

4.5%

4.6%

5.7%

6.6%

5.5%

Reduction in damage due to airbags

Front side airbag sensors

600,002

423,266

243,075

5.5%

13.7%

10.2%

6.0%

2.8%

Front airbag occupant sensors

2,895

3,913

10,230

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.3%

0.3%

Reduction in neck injuries (headrests)

Active front head restraints

909,520

840,559

751,749

10.8%

20.7%

20.2%

18.7%

25.5%

Active rear head restraints

4,740

3,865

2

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

3 rear head restraints

916,793

909,351

851,212

21.4%

20.9%

21.9%

21.2%

23.6%

2 rear head restraints

3,267,466

3,054,447

2,976,141

74.3%

74.5%

73.5%

74.1%

71.2%

3 3rd row head restraints

33,061

51,034

110,354

0.5%

0.8%

1.2%

2.7%

2.4%

2 3rd row head restraints

861,928

788,505

680,722

21.5%

19.7%

19.0%

16.9%

16.4%

Brake systems

ABS

3,805,951

3,594,613

3,483,825

87.7%

86.8%

86.5%

86.7%

87.2%

Brake assist system

2,457,957

2,511,609

2,536,206

51.0%

56.1%

60.4%

63.1%

64.4%

Electronic brake distribution

3,210,210

3,359,627

3,410,522

56.4%

73.2%

80.8%

84.9%

84.7%

Cornering brake control

3,386

3,293

3,888

0.0%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.0%

(Notes) 1. Electronic brake distribution systems optimally distribute the braking force between the front and rear and the left and right wheels depending on how the vehicle is traveling.
2. Cornering brake distribution systems help stabilize driving when the vehicle is turning corners by optimally distributing brake pressure to the wheels at the outer side of the road when cars begin turning at tight curves. Some systems work in conjunction with stability control systems while others do not need stability control systems to work.

Driving stability control systems

Limited slip differential

155,294

161,474

216,915

3.4%

3.5%

3.9%

5.4%

8.2%

Electronic traction control

320,810

402,300

531,386

6.1%

7.3%

9.7%

13.2%

15.8%

Electronic Stability Control

278,908

375,162

499,936

5.4%

6.4%

9.0%

12.4%

15.3%

Low tire pressure indicator

69,968

49,487

28,704

1.8%

1.6%

1.2%

0.7%

2.2%

(Note) An Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system integrates and controls Electronic Traction Control (ETC)
and Antilock Brake Systems (ABSs) to stabilize the direction of travel even when the vehicle may be out of control. ESC is recommended based on the New Car Assessment Programs conducted in the US and Europe.

Collision alert, impact reduction and other pre-crash systems

Collision warning system

21,767

20,520

27,031

0.4%

0.5%

0.5%

0.7%

0.7%

Brake assist with preview

888

2,848

7,393

0.3%

0.0%

0.1%

0.2%

0.2%

Distance sensors cruise control

6,875

13,715

22,038

0.0%

0.2%

0.3%

0.5%

0.6%

(Notes) 1. A collision warning system alerts drivers (via a radar sensor) when it senses the possibility that the vehicle might rear end a vehicle traveling ahead. It includes a system that tightens the seat belt to reduce injuries in collisions.
2. A brake assist with preview system induces braking and prepares to immediately put on the brakes.
It includes an automatic braking function.
3. Distance sensor cruise control maintains a safe separation of vehicles.

Major safety systems installed as optional equipment in passenger cars sold in Japan by Japanese automobile manufacturers:

 
(Note)Systems listed under standard equipment but not under optional equipment were not available as optional equipment between 2006 and 2008.
Safety systems highlighted in yellow backgrounds show availability by make,
and have been included here.
 

Optional installation (units)

Optional installation (%)

2006

2007

2008

2005

2006

2007

2008

Jan.-Jul.
2009

Isofix preparation

40,231

12,840

6,585

5.9%

0.9%

0.3%

0.2%

0.1%

Driver front airbag

6,431

5,604

4,598

0.2%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

Passenger front airbag

4,196

3,036

31

0.2%

0.1%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

Front side airbag

2,185,934

1,909,374

1,643,284

50.4%

49.9%

45.9%

40.9%

33.5%

Front to rear roof airbag

 

4,228

3,335

 

 

0.1%

0.1%

0.0%

all 3 rows roof airbag

 

 

3,312

 

 

 

0.1%

0.1%

Knee airbags

109,443

178,227

273,630

0.0%

2.5%

4.3%

6.8%

5.4%

Active front head restraints

80,079

177,777

123,031

0.4%

1.8%

4.3%

3.1%

1.9%

Active rear head restraints

85

3,962

2,535

0.0%

0.0%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

ABS

513,552

489,418

448,050

10.0%

11.7%

11.8%

11.1%

11.8%

Brake assist system

467,742

460,632

435,305

8.3%

10.7%

11.1%

10.8%

11.5%

Electronic brake distribution

447,463

438,677

430,101

6.3%

10.2%

10.6%

10.7%

11.4%

Limited slip differential

68,151

54,005

34,765

1.8%

1.6%

1.3%

0.9%

0.7%

Electronic traction control

547,508

470,207

415,740

11.1%

12.5%

11.3%

10.3%

13.6%

Electronic Stability Control

548,870

469,195

414,674

10.9%

12.5%

11.3%

10.3%

13.6%

Collision warning system

129,899

164,980

145,242

0.9%

3.0%

4.0%

3.6%

3.3%

Brake assist with preview

23,658

13,013

8,625

0.6%

0.5%

0.3%

0.2%

0.2%

Distance sensors cruise control

236,039

181,625

156,029

4.5%

5.4%

4.4%

3.9%

3.5%

(Note) Data from JATO Dynamics.
All rights reserved. Reproduction of this table without the prior consent of JATO Dynamics is strictly prohibited.

(Reference) Brake and ESC systems in passenger cars sold by Japanese automobile manufacturers
in the US and European countries

 

Standard installation (units)

Standard installation (%)

2006
2007
2008
2005
2006
2007
2008
Jan.-Aug.
2009

Brake and ESC systems installed as standard equipment in passenger cars sold by Japanese automobile manufacturers in the US

ABS

4,057,116

4,155,685

3,467,083

68.9%

70.3%

69.7%

66.2%

75.4%

Brake assist system

2,807,100

3,613,298

3,914,343

36.2%

48.7%

60.6%

74.7%

78.9%

Electronic brake distribution

4,637,013

5,003,594

4,929,156

71.9%

80.4%

83.9%

94.1%

97.1%

Cornering brake control

7,402

17,440

14,736

0.0%

0.1%

0.3%

0.3%

0.2%

Electronic Stability Control

2,067,712

2,631,835

2,704,861

29.7%

35.8%

44.1%

51.6%

63.9%

Brake and ESC systems installed as standard equipment in passenger cars sold by Japanese automobile manufacturers in five European countries

ABS

1,515,322

1,534,950

1,199,232

92.9%

93.5%

94.5%

86.8%

84.3%

Brake assist system

1,113,541

1,194,880

1,063,565

55.7%

68.7%

73.6%

77.0%

80.5%

Electronic brake distribution

1,515,417

1,551,434

1,328,136

90.0%

93.5%

95.6%

96.1%

97.1%

Cornering brake control

98,614

168,059

179,378

2.0%

6.1%

10.4%

13.0%

12.6%

Electronic Stability Control

680527

778558

674013

30.2%

42.0%

48.0%

48.8%

54.5%

(Note) The five European countries are the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. Figures for the US and Europe in 2009 are actual results from the January-August 2009 period.

 

Front side airbags are being installed in 43% of Toyota vehicles and 100% of Lexus vehicle as standard equipment

  The percentage of vehicles in which front side airbags are being installed as standard equipment significantly varies by make. For example, the percentage for Toyota was 43.1% in 2008 and 15.5% in 2007. It was 100% for Lexus-brand vehicles in 2008 but only 2.2% for Honda, 8.3% for Nissan, 4.2% for Mazda, 0.6% for Mitsubishi Motors, 11.7% for Suzuki, 0.0% for Daihatsu, and 26.3% for Fuji Heavy Industries. In July 2007, Toyota announced that it would install front side airbags as standard equipment in new cars in the future.

   The average percentage of vehicles being installed with front side airbags as optional equipment is 33.5%. When both standard and optional installation rates are combined, the percentages are as follows: 91.9% for Toyota, 50.3% for Honda, 16.4% for Nissan, 69.2% for Mazda, 28.6% for Mitsubishi Motors, 13.4% for Suzuki, 35.6% for Daihatsu, and 56.8% for Fuji Heavy Industries.

   The percentage of vehicles with curtain airbags for two rows as standard equipment is 13.5%. Looking at the percentages of vehicles with front side airbags installed as standard equipment, we find both Toyota (31.9%) and Lexus (93.2%) far ahead of the others. In third was Fuji Heavy Industries at 26.3%.

 

Active head restraints as standard equipment are equipped on 76% of Nissan vehicles, 48% of Lexus, and 42% of Fuji Heavy Industries



  Active head restraints on average are being installed on 25.5% of vehicles as standard equipment. However, the percentage varies greatly from maker to maker, with Nissan at 75.9% (74.8% in 2007) and Lexus at 48.2% (30.0% in 2007). The two companies are ahead of the others. The percentage for Fuji was 42.0% in 2008 (53.1% in 2007). (Fuji Heavy Industries installed a neck injury reduction seat in the new Legacy.) The percentage for Toyota is 31.4% (9.2% in 2007). (In July 2007, Toyota announced that it would also install active head restraints in new models in the future.)

 

Safety systems in passenger cars sold by Japanese automobile manufacturers in Japan: Make-by-make comparison of major systems installed as standard/optional equipment.

Safety systems in green indicate standard equipment.
The figures for "optional" indicate the number of new passenger cars with the options available and not the number of actual vehicles that were equipped with such optional equipment.
Rates are given as a percentage among all new cars make by each manufacturing group.
Rates show in "Total" are all new cars sold by 10 manufacturing groups
and include new cars that came without options.

Front side airbags, front to rear roof airbags, all 3 rows roof airbags, knee airbags,
  and active front head restraints as standard/optional equipment by make

 

Standard/optional installation (units)

Standard/optional installation (%)

2006

2007

2008

2005

2006

2007

2008

Jan.-Jul.
2009

Front side
airbag

Toyota

114,006

212,387

404,337

6.5%

7.8%

15.5%

31.4%

43.1%

Lexus

31,094

34,799

25,945

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

Honda

3,745

4,458

12,277

0.7%

0.6%

0.8%

2.1%

2.2%

Nissan

21,711

15,713

31,235

4.1%

3.4%

2.6%

5.4%

8.3%

Mazda

2,196

1,222

201

4.8%

1.0%

0.6%

0.1%

4.2%

Mitsubishi

1,186

1,521

1,410

0.8%

0.6%

0.9%

1.0%

0.6%

Suzuki

8,373

9,584

75,122

0.3%

1.5%

1.8%

14.1%

11.7%

Daihatsu

142

130

121

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

Subaru

333

2,303

3,631

0.4%

0.2%

1.5%

2.5%

26.3%

Total

182,786

282,117

554,279

3.5%

4.2%

6.8%

13.8%

18.1%

(Option)
Front side
airbag

Toyota

1,151,665

1,008,771

751,600

70.6%

79.1%

73.7%

58.4%

48.8%

Honda

391,633

282,425

214,216

66.6%

60.2%

48.6%

36.5%

48.2%

Nissan

146,170

154,181

136,714

33.5%

22.6%

25.0%

23.6%

8.1%

Mazda

157,488

156,001

155,913

71.0%

72.1%

73.4%

75.5%

65.0%

Mitsubishi

58,518

40,860

40,330

28.0%

29.8%

24.1%

28.1%

28.0%

Suzuki

34,702

15,479

10,163

8.0%

6.4%

2.9%

1.9%

1.7%

Daihatsu

124,711

160,997

256,762

27.2%

25.9%

32.7%

50.1%

35.6%

Subaru

121,047

90,660

77,586

73.4%

73.9%

59.5%

54.1%

30.6%

Total

2,185,934

1,909,374

1,643,284

50.4%

49.9%

45.9%

40.9%

33.5%

Front to rear
roof airbag

Toyota

104,758

191,681

335,444

5.8%

7.2%

14.0%

26.0%

31.9%

Lexus

29,559

33,927

25,324

94.8%

95.1%

97.5%

97.6%

93.2%

Honda

3,653

3,307

8,218

0.7%

0.6%

0.6%

1.4%

1.7%

Nissan

5,092

5,000

17,475

1.7%

0.8%

0.8%

3.0%

9.8%

Mazda

2,196

1,222

97

4.8%

1.0%

0.6%

0.0%

3.0%

Mitsubishi

1,132

1,519

1,409

0.2%

0.6%

0.9%

1.0%

0.6%

Suzuki

8,373

9,584

11,342

0.3%

1.5%

1.8%

2.1%

3.7%

Daihatsu

142

130

121

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

Subaru

17

2,085

3,631

0.2%

0.0%

1.4%

2.5%

26.3%

Total

154,922

248,455

403,061

2.8%

3.5%

6.0%

10.0%

13.5%

all 3 rows roof airbag

Toyota

 

13,784

93,611

 

 

1.0%

7.3%

12.0%

Honda

91

1,151

4,059

0.0%

0.0%

0.2%

0.7%

0.5%

Nissan

 

 

305

 

 

 

0.1%

0.3%

Total

91

14,935

97,975

0.0%

0.0%

0.4%

2.4%

3.8%

Knee airbags

Toyota

173,064

165,316

210,063

12.8%

11.9%

12.1%

16.3%

14.2%

Lexus

30,128

34,799

25,945

94.8%

96.9%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

Mitsubishi

 

35,387

30,653

 

 

20.9%

21.4%

19.0%

Daihatsu

141

130

121

 

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

Total

203,333

235,632

266,782

4.5%

4.6%

5.7%

6.6%

5.5%

(Option)
Knee airbags

Toyota

87,575

64,999

58,208

0.0%

6.0%

4.7%

4.5%

4.2%

Daihatsu

21,868

113,228

215,422

 

4.5%

23.0%

42.1%

29.7%

Total

109,443

178,227

273,630

0.0%

2.5%

4.3%

6.8%

5.4%

Active
front head
restraints

Toyota

175,673

126,172

177,247

5.0%

12.1%

9.2%

13.8%

31.4%

Lexus

13,717

10,439

855

56.8%

44.1%

30.0%

3.3%

48.2%

Honda

218,839

97,431

22,113

3.6%

33.6%

16.8%

3.8%

17.5%

Nissan

388,568

460,963

452,271

39.7%

60.1%

74.8%

78.1%

75.9%

Mazda

901

20,916

16,195

3.4%

0.4%

9.8%

7.8%

11.8%

Mitsubishi

24,608

39,367

 

 

12.5%

23.2%

 

 

Suzuki

 

4,332

2,625

 

 

0.8%

0.5%

0.4%

Daihatsu

1

 

 

0.0%

0.0%

 

 

 

Subaru

87,213

80,939

80,443

44.7%

53.2%

53.1%

56.1%

42.0%

Total

909,520

840,559

751,749

10.8%

20.7%

20.2%

18.7%

25.5%

 

Percentage of vehicles installed with brake assist systems as standard equipment varies little by make

  Except for Lexus, which stands out with a high 98.6% installation rate; and Mitsubishi Motors at a low of 43.5%, the overall rate of vehicles equipped with brake assist systems as standard equipment averages between 60-70%, with little variance by manufacturing group. We found that EBD systems are equipped as standard equipment on 84.7% of vehicles. At the top (100.0%) was Lexus, followed by Toyota at 98.9%, Honda at 98.3%, Mazda at 92.2%, Nissan at 87.2% and Fuji at 76.7%.

   The percentages of ESC systems equipped as standard equipment by make are as follows: 100% for Lexus, 31.8% for Fuji Heavy Industries, 30.1% for Toyota, and 21.7% for Mitsubishi Motors. When the percentage of vehicles equipped with ESC systems as either standard equipment or optional equipment are combined by make, the average rate still doesn't go over 50%, except for Toyota that ended up at 51.6%. The percentage was 36.2% for Honda and 35.6% for Fuji Heavy Industries.

 

ABSs, Brake assist systems, Electronic brake distribution (EBD) systems, Electronic Stability Control
  (ESC) systems, and Low tire pressure indicators installed as standard/optional equipment by make

 

Standard/optional installation (units)

Standard/optional installation (%)

2006

2007

2008

2005

2006

2007

2008

Jan.-Jul.
2009

ABS

Toyota

1,454,621

1,369,013

1,285,433

99.9%

99.9%

100.0%

99.8%

99.8%

Lexus

31,094

34,799

25,945

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

Honda

598,238

522,064

533,886

90.7%

91.9%

89.9%

91.0%

98.1%

Nissan

632,535

608,217

568,584

98.7%

97.8%

98.8%

98.2%

99.1%

Mazda

204,836

199,378

173,877

93.4%

93.7%

93.8%

84.2%

85.4%

Mitsubishi

136,052

107,997

108,685

68.6%

69.3%

63.7%

75.8%

73.2%

Suzuki

300,352

339,956

373,331

60.8%

55.6%

64.4%

70.0%

65.1%

Daihatsu

307,646

315,397

346,463

63.5%

63.9%

64.0%

67.6%

62.7%

Subaru

140,557

97,781

67,613

79.5%

85.8%

64.2%

47.1%

78.7%

Isuzu

20

11

8

44.4%

52.6%

50.0%

50.0%

37.5%

Total

3,805,951

3,594,613

3,483,825

87.7%

86.8%

86.5%

86.7%

87.2%

Brake assist
system

Toyota

857,515

906,041

834,808

55.4%

58.9%

66.2%

64.8%

65.4%

Lexus

29,559

33,927

25,324

94.8%

95.1%

97.5%

97.6%

98.6%

Honda

365,389

320,002

339,822

53.5%

56.1%

55.1%

57.9%

70.8%

Nissan

367,473

374,441

348,298

52.2%

56.8%

60.8%

60.2%

61.8%

Mazda

66,998

105,594

140,938

29.5%

30.7%

49.7%

68.3%

72.5%

Mitsubishi

128,127

69,654

69,182

44.6%

65.3%

41.1%

48.3%

43.5%

Suzuki

265,180

308,184

352,510

44.6%

49.1%

58.4%

66.1%

61.6%

Daihatsu

282,521

302,501

337,923

54.3%

58.7%

61.4%

66.0%

61.8%

Subaru

95,195

91,265

87,401

42.8%

58.1%

59.9%

60.9%

64.1%

Total

2,457,957

2,511,609

2,536,206

51.0%

56.1%

60.4%

63.1%

64.4%

Electronic
brake
distribution

Toyota

1,209,015

1,258,122

1,268,763

62.8%

83.1%

91.9%

98.5%

98.9%

Lexus

23,980

34,799

25,945

56.8%

77.1%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

Honda

560,656

521,213

534,481

56.0%

86.2%

89.8%

91.1%

98.3%

Nissan

480,275

543,241

506,827

57.0%

74.2%

88.2%

87.6%

87.2%

Mazda

126,345

165,414

191,359

46.1%

57.8%

77.8%

92.7%

92.2%

Mitsubishi

136,524

116,677

101,176

43.8%

69.5%

68.8%

70.6%

66.2%

Suzuki

235,987

291,956

328,452

35.5%

43.7%

55.3%

61.5%

61.2%

Daihatsu

303,780

314,502

346,463

62.5%

63.1%

63.8%

67.6%

62.7%

Subaru

133,648

113,703

107,056

75.8%

81.6%

74.6%

74.6%

76.7%

Total

3,210,210

3,359,627

3,410,522

56.4%

73.2%

80.8%

84.9%

84.7%

Electronic
Stability
control

Toyota

135,872

179,349

265,465

8.8%

9.3%

13.1%

20.6%

30.1%

Lexus

31,094

34,799

25,945

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

Honda

41,247

50,624

57,696

6.6%

6.3%

8.7%

9.8%

12.0%

Nissan

24,830

43,782

55,565

4.5%

3.8%

7.1%

9.6%

8.8%

Mazda

15,297

11,560

19,638

3.6%

7.0%

5.4%

9.5%

10.9%

Mitsubishi

26,828

44,005

33,553

7.2%

13.7%

26.0%

23.4%

21.7%

Suzuki

3,249

6,327

9,113

0.3%

0.6%

1.2%

1.7%

1.2%

Daihatsu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.0%

Subaru

491

4,716

32,961

 

0.3%

3.1%

23.0%

31.8%

Total

278,908

375,162

499,936

5.4%

6.4%

9.0%

12.4%

15.3%

(Option)
Electronic
Stability
control

Toyota

313,113

274,728

237,870

18.5%

21.5%

20.1%

18.5%

21.5%

Honda

109,271

63,631

72,773

11.2%

16.8%

11.0%

12.4%

24.2%

Nissan

22,083

38,082

39,942

4.8%

3.4%

6.2%

6.9%

15.2%

Mazda

40,872

37,098

29,216

23.1%

18.7%

17.5%

14.2%

9.2%

Mitsubishi

747

8,690

8,111

0.2%

0.4%

5.1%

5.7%

5.1%

Suzuki

6,108

3,527

4,582

1.4%

1.1%

0.7%

0.9%

1.2%

Daihatsu

36,599

25,416

13,437

4.2%

7.6%

5.2%

2.6%

2.1%

Subaru

20,077

18,023

8,743

10.5%

12.3%

11.8%

6.1%

3.8%

Total

548,870

469,195

414,674

10.9%

12.5%

11.3%

10.3%

13.6%

Low tire
pressure
indicator

Toyota

59,290

42,711

4,445

4.8%

4.1%

3.1%

0.3%

0.4%

Lexus

10,678

5,961

6,004

62.0%

34.3%

17.1%

23.1%

16.2%

Nissan

 

815

4,874

 

 

0.1%

0.8%

0.1%

Mazda

 

 

1,656

 

 

 

0.8%

4.9%

Suzuki

 

 

11,725

 

 

 

2.2%

12.3%

Total

69,968

49,487

28,704

1.8%

1.6%

1.2%

0.7%

2.2%


Collision warning systems and Distance sensors cruise control installed as standard/optional equipment by make

 

Standard/optional installation (units)

Standard/optional installation (%)

2006

2007

2008

2005

2006

2007

2008

Jan.-Jul.
2009

Collision
warning
system

Toyota

10,612

9,517

16,386

0.7%

0.7%

0.7%

1.3%

1.9%

Lexus

9,143

5,437

1,740

56.8%

29.4%

15.6%

6.7%

6.6%

Honda

134

1,767

5,204

0.0%

0.0%

0.3%

0.9%

0.4%

Nissan

1,012

855

1,697

0.2%

0.2%

0.1%

0.3%

0.1%

Mazda

358

2,203

690

 

0.2%

1.0%

0.3%

0.2%

Subaru

508

741

1,314

0.1%

0.3%

0.5%

0.9%

0.4%

Total

21,767

20,520

27,031

0.4%

0.5%

0.5%

0.7%

0.7%

(Option)
Collision
warning
system

Toyota

16,001

11,430

52,234

0.3%

1.1%

0.8%

4.1%

4.8%

Lexus

20,416

28,490

23,584

38.0%

65.7%

81.9%

90.9%

91.9%

Honda

59,289

65,271

21,602

0.6%

9.1%

11.2%

3.7%

4.4%

Nissan

21,478

35,468

24,577

3.8%

3.3%

5.8%

4.2%

2.3%

Mazda

8,048

5,399

13,023

 

3.7%

2.5%

6.3%

3.7%

Suzuki

 

 

376

 

 

 

0.1%

0.0%

Daihatsu

4,667

18,922

9,846

 

1.0%

3.8%

1.9%

1.2%

Total

129,899

164,980

145,242

0.9%

3.0%

4.0%

3.6%

3.3%

Distance
sensors
cruise
control

Toyota

2,135

3,743

10,561

 

0.1%

0.3%

0.8%

1.5%

Lexus

960

1,912

1,738

 

3.1%

5.5%

6.7%

4.6%

Honda

1,902

3,446

5,291

0.1%

0.3%

0.6%

0.9%

0.4%

Nissan

1,012

855

1,697

0.2%

0.2%

0.1%

0.3%

0.1%

Mazda

358

2,203

690

 

0.2%

1.0%

0.3%

0.2%

Subaru

508

1,556

2,061

0.2%

0.3%

1.0%

1.4%

1.4%

Total

6,875

13,715

22,038

0.0%

0.2%

0.3%

0.5%

0.6%

(Option)
Distance
sensors
cruise
control

Toyota

51,817

37,881

60,572

3.8%

3.6%

2.8%

4.7%

5.2%

Lexus

19,647

23,665

23,584

80.8%

63.2%

68.0%

90.9%

93.9%

Honda

114,059

55,698

20,961

13.8%

17.5%

9.6%

3.6%

4.4%

Nissan

21,580

35,468

24,577

4.6%

3.3%

5.8%

4.2%

2.3%

Mazda

8,048

5,399

13,023

 

3.7%

2.5%

6.3%

3.7%

Suzuki

 

 

376

 

 

 

0.1%

0.0%

Daihatsu

20,888

23,514

12,936

2.6%

4.3%

4.8%

2.5%

1.4%

Total

236,039

181,625

156,029

4.5%

5.4%

4.4%

3.9%

3.5%

(Note) Data from JATO Dynamics.
All rights reserved. Reproduction of this table without the prior consent of JATO Dynamics is strictly prohibited.
source: MarkLines Co., Ltd. Copyright(C)MarkLines Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.