High Point Enterprise in High Point, North Carolina

Government Softens Car Safety Standards

U S auto makers plan to study in detail the federal government s softened car safety standards The Commerce Department withdrew three of the original 23 standards and toned down the rest extending the 1968 model year deadline by four months Ford GM Chrysler and AMC signaled cautious review Volkswagen showed optimism Auto critics and Ralph Nader questioned the changes noting seat belts energy absorbing systems and other safety features in the revised plan Target entities include Commerce Department Ford Motor Co General Motors Corp Chrysler Corp American Motors Corp Volkswagen Ralph Nader and William Haddon.