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Volkswagen of America, Inc. to Distribute Training Tool on How to Use New Child Safety Seat Latch System

12 June 2000

Volkswagen of America, Inc. to Distribute Training Tool to Certified Instructors on How to Use New Child Safety Seat Latch System

    ARLINGTON, Texas - Volkswagen of America, Inc. will make available a new 
training device to NHTSA certified child passenger safety instructors to help 
them show parents how to use new child safety seats with the LATCH system -- a 
safety advancement that uses lower anchors and tethers instead of relying on safety belts.

    These new child safety seats are designed for cars that come equipped with
an advanced system that includes rigid anchorage points in the rear seat area
where the seat cushion meets the seat back.  While only a few auto companies
in the U.S. build cars equipped with these anchorage points, the majority of
Volkswagen's new cars currently come equipped with the Lower Anchorage and
Tethers for Children (LATCH) system.

    Child safety seats designed for this new system attach directly to anchor
points in a car's rear seat and no longer rely on safety belts.  This makes
installation easier, and also promotes proper installation and a higher degree
of safety.

    Volkswagen will distribute up to 700 lower anchorage bars from its Passat
model for use as a training tool that CPS instructors can use to show how the
system operates.  They will be provided to certified trainers free of charge.

    Volkswagen is participating in this year's 4th International Child
Passenger Safety Conference as a Silver Sponsor.  This year's conference is
expected to be the largest gathering on child passenger safety ever, bringing
together the leading elements of industry, government, health, education,
enforcement, retailing and safety that are involved in the transportation of
children.

    Volkswagen plans to display a 2000 Passat with its LATCH system,
demonstrating how to easily and confidently install a compatible safety seat.
The seat being demonstrated is a Fisher-Price SafeEmbrace II LATCH model.

    In addition, Volkswagen will have a display that includes a back seat of a
2000 Jetta model that has a LATCH system with the upper tether and lower
anchor points.