Manufacturer attacks rule change for automobiles

SAO PAULO-the likely postponement for the 2016 deadline for the mandatory installation of airbags and antilock brakes on 100% of the new cars, scheduled for January, will inhibit investments of auto parts manufacturers in new technologies. "Who's going to invest if the Government, in the dead of night, changes the rules of the game?" asks Bezalel Botelho, President of Bosch, one of the largest manufacturers of components of Latin America.
First company to produce ABS brakes in Brazil and responsible for 50% of sales of the system, Bosch invested almost r $ 70 million to produce the equipment in Campinas (SP), from 2007. "We expanded production by 2012 to meet new demand and we are now with this, as well as other companies that have invested in security technologies, such as airbag," he says.
The ABS brake reduces in 20% to 25% the braking space and prevents locking of the wheels. In Europe, where team all cars, research shows that the number of deaths in accidents fell 30%. There are still no studies in Brazil on the theme.
In the case of airbag-bag that inflates and softens the impact of the crash, international studies indicate that, in potentially fatal accidents, there are 51% chance of occupants survive if they're with belt and the car has an airbag.
The two items are mandatory in all new cars from January. On Wednesday, 11, the Finance Minister, Guido Mantega, stated that can postpone that date to 2016. Claims fear of inflationary pressure due to the price increase, as well as layoffs because of the end of production of models without conditions to receive the systems, such as the van, Volkswagen, and Fiat Mille.
For Gerson Burin, the center of experimentation and road safety (Brazil Cesvi), "removing items is not a welcome solution. According to him, "it would be like to suspend the law requiring the use of seat belts-a big step backwards". Extend the period of installation is not in line with the campaigns for traffic safety, said Burin.
Optional
The President of the National Association of Automotive vehicle manufacturers (Anfavea), Luiz Moan, points out that the industry has already made investments needed and is prepared to equip almost all models with airbag and ABS, serial or as optional. "It is up to the consumer to choose and have conviction that most will choose the two items". The Anfavea estimates that the new items will endear the rent of $ 1,000 to $ 1,5 thousand, but it's up to each tag repost or not to the consumer.
Moan agrees with the thesis that, at the moment, what is important is the maintenance of jobs and therefore will support postponing the meeting with Mantega will on Tuesday, 17. "This policy is misguided, because does not justify taking the safety of cars because of a price war to sell more," says Barker. According to him, 75% of new vehicles already are made with the two items and postpone what is missing will also result in readjustments as optional items are normally more expensive than those of series. "The scale reduces costs and, with the measure, the production will fall and prices tend to increase."
For him, the alternative would be to reduce taxes. The President of Bosch still criticizes the Government's stance at a time when the industry is encouraged to invest in new technologies for the program Innovate-Auto. "Who's going to invest if, overnight, the rule changes?" asks. "This Government will do what long saw himself, which is to alter the rules in the middle of the game." The information is from the newspaper O Estado de s. Paulo.