Ten Automakers Agree On Making Automatic Braking Standard

A group of ten automakers have agreed to equip all of their new vehicles with an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system in the near future.

Audi, BMW, Ford, General Motors, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo announced today they will work together with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on an agreement and timeline to make automatic braking standard on all of their models.

AEB systems work to prevent or lessen the effects of a rear-end collision by detecting an imminent collision and apply the brakes to slow or stop the vehicle. This technology is becoming commonplace in more vehicles, but seemingly always as an optional feature. The IIHS says one percent of 2015 model year vehicle have AEB as standard while 26 percent have it as an option.

“If technologies such as automatic emergency braking are only available as options or on the most expensive models, too few Americans will see the benefits of this new era,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement. These 10 companies are committing to making AEB available to all new-car buyers.”

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)