Do you have examples of the auto industry fighting safety features?  I used to own an early 70s Oldsmobile Toronado which was available with both ABS and airbags.  A quick Google search suggests that Chrysler and Ford had similar braking systems in 1971, possibly even better.  ABS was not required by US law until 2011.  40 years after the US domestics first offered it.<p>I believe Ford made a big deal out of their padded dashboards in the 1950s as well but I would have to dig up references to that.<p>While Volvo has a great safety record they are not even close to the only manufacturer with a history of adding safety features to their cars.  Safety is good business, the US domestics have known this for decades.<p>The 1971 Oldsmobile Torornado brochure prominently features ABS and specifically calls out the safety features available in that year: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.lov2xlr8.no&#x2F;brochures&#x2F;olds&#x2F;71toro&#x2F;bilder&#x2F;6.jpg" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.lov2xlr8.no&#x2F;brochures&#x2F;olds&#x2F;71toro&#x2F;bilder&#x2F;6.jpg</a>