<P> In the early 1970s , Ford and General Motors began offering cars equipped with airbags , initially in government fleet purchased Chevrolet automobiles . GM 's Oldsmobile Toronado was the first domestic vehicle to include a passenger airbag . The automaker discontinued the option for its 1977 model year , citing lack of consumer interest . Ford and GM then spent years lobbying against air - bag requirements , claiming that the devices were unfeasible and inappropriate . Chrysler made a driver - side airbag standard on 1988 -- 1989 models , but it was not until the early 1990s that airbags became widespread in American cars . </P>
<P> In the early 1970s , Ford and General Motors began offering cars equipped with airbags , initially in government fleet purchased Chevrolet automobiles . GM 's Oldsmobile Toronado was the first domestic vehicle to include a passenger airbag . The automaker discontinued the option for its 1977 model year , citing lack of consumer interest . Ford and GM then spent years lobbying against air - bag requirements , claiming that the devices were unfeasible and inappropriate . Chrysler made a driver - side airbag standard on 1988 -- 1989 models , but it was not until the early 1990s that airbags became widespread in American cars . </P>
when did airbags become standard in u s
when did airbags become standard in u s
the early 1990s
the early 1990s