The Nation : More Air Bag Use Planned

Two of the top three U.S. auto makers said they plan to equip at least half of their 1990 model cars with air bags, indicating that more than 2 million new cars sold that year will have the safety devices. Ford Motor Co. and the Chrysler Corp. told a Senate Commerce Committee hearing that their plans to put a large number of the driver-side protective bags into their fleets as standard equipment are contingent on the federal government’s extending its 1989 deadline for passive protective devices for both front-seat occupants. The Transportation Department already has said it plans to grant the extension.