Brumby confident of stability control ADR

Victorian Premier John Brumby is confident the Federal Government will introduce new ADRs requiring the fitment of ESC stability control and side curtain airbags as standard on all new cars following the overwhelming support of all state leaders.

The proposal to mandate the fitment of ESC on all new cars by 2011 and the head protection airbags by 2012 was first outlined in Victoria's new 'Arrive Alive' road safety strategy that was announced by the Premier in early February.

Two weeks ago he took that proposal to a Council of Federation meeting and gained the support of all states and territories with the only change being to push the timing out by 12 months.

"I can't speak for the Federal Government but I would think now that the case is compelling," Brumby told the Carsales Network at last week's Melbourne motor show.

"They (the states) voted to embrace that so you now have all of the states committed to ESC from end 2011 and side airbags from end 2012. So the reality is that from that time you won't be able to register a new car in Australia unless it has got those things fitted.

"So I think you will see the Federal Government take note of what the states have decided and I would be very surprised if there aren't the changes which are required to ADR."

Brumby says the impact on the cost of fitting the safety items as standard on new cars would be minimal.

"Some people tell me that the real cost of fitting side airbags in the manufacturing process if everybody is fitting that as part of a long production run is $80-$100. So these are not big cost items.

"Bear in mind that 52 per cent of all the new cars sold in Victoria already have ESC fitted as standard. So I am satisfied in terms of entry-level cars that the cost impact of this is minimal."

Brumby's comments came after Holden had announced that every new Commodore sedan and wagon would be fitted with six airbags as standard. The range already features stability and traction control while Ford's new FG Falcon also features ESC standard, although side curtain airbags are available -- but not standard on all models.

However, it is the entry-level small and light car segments -- by far the most popular with nearly 40 per cent of the entire market -- where such systems are less prevalent and if they are available they carry a relatively high premium.

Toyota, which currently has the two biggest sellers in both segments with the Yaris and Corolla respectively does not offer stability control on any models and the side curtain airbags are fitted as standard on higher-end versions, or offered as a $750 option that includes front side, side curtain and driver knee airbags. On the cheapest Yaris model, that represents nearly 5 per cent of the recommended retail price of $15,190

Last August when Toyota introduced stability control as standard on all Camry models, the price of the car rose from $490 for the entry Altise model to $750 for the Sportivo.

Mazda, which has the second-biggest sellers in the sectors with the Mazda2 and Mazda3 respectively does offer stability and traction control and six airbags across both the ranges  -- standard on top spec and optional on entry level models.

For the base model $16,500 Neo Mazda2, the addition of stability control and the extra four airbags -- front side and side curtain -- will cost $1100 while on the cheapest $20,990 Mazda3 Neo model the same will set you back $1830 or nearly 9 per cent.

So although Brumby may be correct in his comments on production prices, when it comes down to the retail end, clearly someone is going to have to pay, either the carmakers or car buyers. 

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