STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Autoliv, a global leader in automotive safety systems, has developed a new anti-sliding airbag that is 60 percent lighter than the existing anti-sliding airbag.

The company said its goal was to help vehicle manufacturers meet the more stringent CO2 and CAFÉ (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) requirements by reducing weight.

The new product will be introduced in the new two-door version of the 2009 Renault Megane that will be launched at the upcoming Paris Auto Show. This vehicle will have anti-sliding airbags for both front-seat positions.

Anti-sliding airbags are installed in the seat cushion. In a crash, the airbag raises the front end of the seat cushion to prevent the occupant from sliding under the seatbelt. This reduces the risk for knee injuries. In addition, it provides a softer deceleration of the occupant since the crash energy can be absorbed more evenly by the frontal airbag when the occupant remains in an upright position.

Autoliv's new airbag concept is designed to reduce weight by almost 1 kg compared to the existing anti-sliding airbag. This is achieved by using a unique textile fabric for the airbag cushion instead of an air-tight flexible canister made of thin-welded steel sheets. Other advantages include reduced tooling investments, simplified integration into the seat and greater ease of standardizing products for different seat structures and customers.

The new anti-sliding airbag has been sourced on multiple vehicle programs for various customers, launching over the next few years.

Autoliv Inc. develops and manufactures automotive safety systems for all major automotive manufacturers in the world. Together with its joint ventures, Autoliv has more than 80 facilities in 32 vehicle-producing countries.