The Spy-Sly and the Spy-Shy; Which automakers record what?(installation of electronic data recorders)

Byline: Bob Gritzinger

General Motors may be the worldwide leader when it comes to installing black boxes, but not every manufacturer is in a rush to record what drivers are doing. Ford, which shares with GM a common platform for downloading data via equipment and software from a California company called Vetronix, is second in the race to install Electronic Data Recorders in its cars. Every Ford with electronic throttle control since the 2003 model year has an EDR able to record five seconds on either side of a crash. All Fords will eventually get this system.

Toyota runs neck-and-neck with Ford for EDR proliferation. Toyota Highlander and Sienna and Lexus LS 430, GS 430/300, SC 430 and RX 330 models record pre- and post-crash data-vehicle speed, brake action, throttle position, shift position, engine speed, change of speed over time, and airbag deployment-and many more Toyota products record at least the post-crash information. Data is used solely for safety development, says Toyota's Allison Takahashi.

Honda uses many EDRs, but only to deploy airbags. Though some data is recorded, Honda says the information is the property of the vehicle owner. Nissan eschews EDRs, relying on an airbag control unit to deploy airbags and record airbag and front seatbelt status. No speed or g-force information is recorded, says spokesman Dean Case. "We'll meet government requirements, but we're not looking at becoming Big Brother,'' he says.

Hyundai says cost rules out the use of EDRs, while Kia says only the airbag deployment sequence is retained for safety engineers or crash investigators to review.

Things aren't so clear-cut on the European front. German sports car builder BMW says data such as engine rpm and temperature is ...