WASHINGTON, D.C. -

While the federal government has legislative updates on its mind in anticipation of future groundbreaking technologies, like autonomous vehicles, various consumer protection agencies are getting in on the conversation in hopes of making changes for consumer safety. 

In a formal petition, created by Consumer Watchdog, the Center for Auto Safety and Joan Claybrook (former NHTSA administrator), the collective urges NHTSA to mandate safety features, instead of allowing the industry to self-regulate features.

Saying that many newer technologies may not be included in less-expensive vehicles, to cut costs, unless mandated by the government, the petition seeks support from NHTSA to require “Automatic Emergency Braking” (a set of three technologies that combine radar, LIDAR [reflected laser light], and cameras to prevent collisions) as standard equipment.

Here’s a summary of the technology, as listed by the consumer advocates:

  • Forward Collision Warning alerts a motorist (via audio or visual signals) that a collision with a car in front is imminent.
  • Crash Imminent Braking intervenes when the driver does not respond to the Forward Collision Warning; it automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision or reduce the vehicle's speed at impact.
  • Dynamic Brake Support applies supplemental braking when the braking applied by the driver is insufficient to avoid a collision.

NHTSA announced in November that automatic emergency braking, or AEB, will be added to its 5-Star Rating System as a recommended safety technology for model-year 2018. While it is not currently mandatory equipment, NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said in November that 10 major vehicle manufacturers have committed to making AEB a standard feature on all new vehicles.

FCA US names safety advocate & rolls out 'Recall Central'

In other safety-related news, FCA US LLC announced last Friday that it has appointed Kristen Kreibich to fill the new role of safety advocate.

According to the company, Kreibich will be tasked with the role of “enriching the safety culture” at FCA US, which includes being responsible for promoting greater awareness of vehicle and occupant safety, both internally for FCA employees and externally with regulators, industry observers and trade associations.

Her experience includes over 20 years of manufacturing, regulatory and safety involvement. She previously served as the manager of vehicle safety planning for FCA US.

“Because of my background, I am passionate about vehicle safety,” Kreibich said. “It’s a topic of vital importance and my mission will be to ensure it remains top of mind, universally. Because we are all stakeholders — my colleagues here at FCA US, my regulatory counterparts, third-party ratings groups, dealers and especially our customers.”

The safety advocate position is being added to FCA’s Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance organization, or VSRC.

“Everyone is a safety advocate at FCA US, because safety considerations are baked in to every component of every product we make,” said Mike Dahl, FCA’s head of VSRC. “But Kristen’s appointment is the embodiment of this mindset. She is our new safety ambassador.”

FCA also announced Thursday the impending implementation of its “Recall Central,” a new Internet portal aimed at consolidating recall campaign information for dealers to better assist their customers. The company also says it has more than doubled the number of professionals it has assigned to its vehicle-safety organization to help identify potential defects and respond to them quicker.

FCA and NHTSA are currently working together, along with others in the industry, to encourage customers to respond to recall notices and increase their completion rates as well as improve the customer service provided to them.

Audi adds new government affairs roles

Audi also announced last Friday that Brad Stertz will take on the role of director, Audi Government Affairs, while Tom Baloga has joined the company as senior director, Audi Government Affairs and head of a new Sacramento office.

The company says that both Stertz and Baloga will represent Audi’s interests in a range of topics, including automated vehicle deployment, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, connected vehicle technologies, safety, cyber security, emissions regulations and trade.

“Technology is transforming the car business and nowhere is that happening more rapidly than in America,” said Scott Keogh, president at Audi of America. “We intend to stand at the forefront of this revolution. These two new representatives will put Audi in the middle of decisions shaping the future.”

To read more about the current dialogues going on in Washington between the automotive industry and legislators, including commentary on vehicle safety and future automation, read our previous story here.