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Automatic Emergency Braking to Be Standard on All New Vehicles by 2029 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on April 29 announced it has finalized a new rule that will make automatic emergency braking (AEB), including pedestrian AEB, standard on all passenger cars and light trucks by September 2029, in a bid to significantly reduce rear-end and pedestrian crashes. NHTSA projects the new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard will save at least 360 lives a year and prevent at least 24,000 injuries annually.
contact with a vehicle in front of them up to 62 mph, and that the systems must detect pedestrians in both daylight and darkness. In addition, the standard requires the system apply the brakes automatically up to 90 mph when a collision with a lead vehicle is imminent, and up to 45 mph when a pedestrian is detected. This final rule applies to vehicle weighing 10,000 pounds or less, which includes nearly all U.S. light vehicles.
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AUTOBODYNEWS.COM
Vol. 13 / Issue 9 / June 2024
REGIONAL NEWS
Toyota to Invest $1.4 Billion in Indiana Plant for Electric SUV Production Toyota announced another $1.4 billion investment in its Princeton, IN, facility to assemble a new three-row battery electric SUV, bringing Toyota’s total investment in the plant to $8 billion. The move is expected to create up to 340 new jobs and is part of Toyota’s
broader $18.6 billion investment in its U.S. operations aimed at enhancing electrification efforts. “Our team members are the heart of Toyota,” said Tim Hollander, president of Toyota Indiana. “We take great pride in producing quality
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REGIONAL NEWS
CIF Raises Nearly $11,000 for Technician Injured in Car Crash AEB systems use sensors to detect when a vehicle is close to crashing into a vehicle or pedestrian in front and automatically applies the brakes if the driver has not. Pedestrian AEB technology will detect a pedestrian in both daylight and in darker conditions at night. The NHTSA said the new standard will significantly reduce injury or property damage and associated costs from these crashes. The new standard requires all cars be able to stop and avoid
The vast majority of light vehicles sold in the U.S. already come equipped with the feature. In December 2023, it was announced 20 automakers had fulfilled a voluntary pledge they signed in 2016 to equip nearly all the light vehicles they produce for the U.S. market with AEB. The list included Toyota, Honda, Ford, GM and Stellantis. That pledge had been brokered by the NHTSA and the l CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
The Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) recently presented a check for $10,845 to Gary Noble, a technician at Louisville Collision Center in Louisville, KY, who was injured in a severe collision in November 2023 that required a lengthy hospitalization and rehabilitation. The funds were raised by a “challenge grant,” announced by CIF in late February. Through March 8, CIF matched every dollar donated, to go to Noble, who has still not been able to return to work, to meet immediate needs.
In the crash, Noble suffered a broken ankle, fractured ribs and a ruptured sternum. “I want to say thank you to everyone at CIF!” Noble said. “My wife and I are so grateful for the money that was raised. The funds will keep us from getting behind on our monthly bills, especially since we now have several medical bills, also.” Steve Olson, who owns Louisville Collision Center, presented the check to Noble. l CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 6
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Columnist Mike Anderson: Battery Reconnects Lead Police to Visit Shop 3 Times Until Solution Found Columnist Abby Andrews: Car Insurance, Repair Cost Increases Far
Outpace Overall Rate
4
Columnist Stacey Phillips Ronak: Talent Acquisition Program Leaders
8
Columnist John Yoswick: Associations Working to Enact State Laws
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