Hi Wally,
Your post says it all. ITS is the reason I own SMU.
My guess is that over the next half dozen months, we will see further contracts announced.
It should be noted that according to Standard 201, in the year beginning 9/1/98, 7% of our vehicles have to be in compliance. However, following that, the percentage of vehicles that have to be in compliance (with one year jumps from the 9/1/98 period) goes to 31%, 40%, 70%, and finally 100%.
Thus, although the 1999 model year will only require 7% compliance, the 2000 model year will require over four times that count. Because of the 15-18 month engineering delay ordinarily required to place any new technology into a "real world" automobile environment, my guess is that auto companies that want the enhanced protection available from ITS will need to make a decision *soon*.
Thus, for inclusion in the 2000 model year cars (for which expected compliance is 31%), based on a Sept/99 introduction, the latest time that a manufacturer would have to sign an agreement would be the second quarter of 1998. For those automotive manufacturers that are *really* safety concerned (and I don't think that is all of them, btw), mid-1999 model year cars (generally out in the late first quarter of 1999), have to make a decision no later than the next 3-4 months.
All things considered, I wouldn't be surprised if our very first additional signed agreement comes in time for Don Townsend to be acting as our personal Santa Claus for the Holidays.
We will see, Wally, we will see.
Have a good evening. |
