Autoliv Introduces New Unique Passenger Airbag Concept

Autoliv Introduces New Unique Passenger Airbag Concept 

(Stockholm, September 16th, 2008) - Autoliv  - the global leader in automotive
safety systems - has unveiled a new passenger airbag concept - designed to
reduce weight by up to 30% and to provide several other advantages. This is
achieved by using a unique fabric container for the folded airbag, instead of a
conventional steel or plastic housing. 

The new innovative passenger airbag module is introduced on the 2009 Chevrolet
Traverse, Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave.  The Autoliv patented
technology replaces traditional rigid housings made from steel or plastic with a
flexible and lighter textile material, resulting in a 30% weight reduction in
the passenger airbag module compared to the previous version. The weight savings
will help car companies meet the more stringent CO2 and CAFÉ (Corporate Average
Fuel Economy) requirements. Other advantages include a simpler integration of
the airbag into the dashboard of the vehicle since the soft fabric housing can
be easily adapted to the dashboard packing space. By using textile material for
the housing it is also possible to reduce prototype and production tooling needs
and to cut prototype turnaround time from months to days. The result is that the
entire development process from inception to production can be reduced sharply.

 “We are proud of this new concept that will further assist our customers'
effort to reduce the environmental impact”, said Pontus Soderstrom, Autoliv's
Director Advanced Technologies for GM Global Business Unit. Mr. Soderstrom
continues, “the new product's inherent flexibility also enables it to be reused
across different vehicle designs and more robustly absorb tolerance differences
between the upper instrument panel and lower instrument panel”.  
Autoliv's passenger airbag design is flexible for a variety of vehicle
architectures including hard mount to the back side of the instrument panel and
hooked to the instrument panel chute walls. It can be combined with a variety of
inflator and cushion options depending on specific vehicle needs. This patented
technology has been sourced on multiple vehicle programs for various customers,
launching over the next few years.

Inquiries: 

Pontus Soderstrom, Director Advanced Technologies, GM Global Business Unit
+1-248-890-7286 
Henrik Kaar, Director Coperate Communications + 46 8 587 20 614


Autoliv Inc., the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems, develops and
manufactures automotive safety systems for all major automotive manufacturers in
the world. Together with its joint ventures, Autoliv has more than 80 facilities
with approximately 43,000 employees in 32 vehicle-producing countries. In
addition, the Company has technical centers in 12 countries around the world,
including 21 test tracks, more than any other automotive safety supplier. Sales
in 2007 amounted to US $6.8 billion. The Company's shares are listed on the New
York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ALV) and its Swedish Depository Receipts on the
Stockholm Stock Exchange (SSE: ALIV).