Friday, June 16, 2000 TOKYO (Nikkei)--The International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) decided Friday to set global auto standards in 16 areas between 2002 and 2010. Standardizing manufacturing specifications of key components for all markets would cut costs and lead to higher auto safety standards, the industry group believes. OICA set three target periods for the standards. Specifications for seatbelt attachment points, windscreen wipers and defrosting equipment are planned by 2002. Standards for measuring diesel emissions and testing autos for performance and collision safety would follow by 2005. These vary dramatically between Japanese, U.S. and European automakers. By 2010, the Paris-based organization hopes to set standards on measuring emissions from subcompact models and some other environmental and safety standards. OICA, made up of trade associations from 40 countries around the world, including the U.S. and Asian and European nations, met in Tokyo to discuss safety, environmental and manufacturing specifications for key components and other standards. (The Nihon Keizai Shimbun Saturday morning edition) |