Isofix or Latch child restraint system

[Woodchukka]

My wife and I knew nothing of the Isofix or Latch restraint system until a year or so ago. My wife has been posting and e-mailing many companies and pollies (a lot) about it since she found out about it and the related statistics between the out dated Australian system compared to the newer (superior) isofix or latch system and has essentially gotten nowhere however that is not what the thread is for as such.

I have looked a lot on the internet and called my local dealer and Holden (who said call the dealer) and now searched this forum which revealed a few threads on this forum on the subject however not the information I was after. What I would like to know is does someone have the part number for the brackets for this restraint system? It is fitted to Monaro's (Pontiac GTO) and the VE (G8) exported overseas to the UK (isofix) and the US (latch). I have attached a few links that show what I am on about below.

Also before someone asks I realise that this system is not recognised in Australia (yet).

Thanks for any help.

http://www.gmpartshouse.com/downloads/manuals/gto/2005gto.pdf (pages 1-38 to 1-39)


http://www.manualowl.com/am/Pontiac/2006-GTO/Manual/1091?page=43 (pages 1-36 and 1-37)


http://forum.grrrr8.net/showthread.php?t=30256& (pictures shown lower in thread)

[Ghia351]

It's not so much that isofix is not recognised, as the wheels of government are very slowly turning and I believe adr's will change soon to approve/set standards to allow it. I think you'll find that it is still illegal to use the "better" system, as rediculous as that may sound, so that is what you have to consider from a liablity sense.

[Woodchukka]

Yep I realise it is not legal (yet). Wife has said that there is a heap of people using the system already with seats from NZ as they apparently have a sticker similar to our Australian Standard ones. I asked the same liability question and from an insurance standpoint some have written (apparently) letters from insurers that they will cover for injury in the case of an accident. I asked if they had considered if the cops would take the same stance as regardless of the statistics it is illegal in Australia and they are breaking the law and neither precedent has been set as yet.

I was just wondering if the parts used for the isofix and latch systems in exported Holden's were able to be obtained in Australia as would have been fitted before export or if not a part number from another country so I may (more likely not) be able to track it down here or import one if I had to.

Like always the wheels of government turn slowly and it really just stinks as the evidence is out there that it is a better system for a number of reasons. Government here have just been hiding behind excuses not to adopt the system. Oddly enough Safe & Sound (Britax) are also quite uninterested in campaigning for the system to be introduced. Can't understand why a company with child safety as a large part of who it is not getting on board and they promote it in other countries???

[Growler]

Oddly enough Safe & Sound (Britax) are also quite uninterested in campaigning for the system to be introduced. Can't understand why a company with child safety as a large part of who it is not getting on board and they promote it in other countries???

It probably has to do with a couple of reasons. 1. The Australian child seats are unique to us and 2. Our small market globally. Because of this it has handed Britax a relative monopoly as it probably discourages other manufacturers of investing in developing models specific for Australia.
I'm not having a go at Britax as the proud owner of a new born 6 weeks ago and the wife having a Golf with Isofix I have looked at buying an Isofix seat for ease of installation. At the moment we are using a Britax seat, the quality is very good, pricing is competitive with Isofix seats from Europe (not even taking freight into account) and they are made in Australia. My understanding is as of the 1st July 2013 Isofix will be legal in Australia. The irony of this is Australia was consulted and inputted on the development of Isofix in the 80/90's but ended up not passing legislation to adopt the standard until just recently.

[Woodchukka]

The wife has contacted some companies who she liked the look of the product online and they are aware of (and waiting for) the laws to change so they can enter the market however what is holding it up now is until the law is in and they know what standards they need to meet they can't get their product tested or approved. there are some seats that have bases for the seat to attach to that are Australian complied (old laws) and an isofix base for other markets. It all sort of stinks of protectionism for those that manufacture in our market being put ahead of safety of our kids.

[BA_XR6_TURBO]

I emailed Anthony Albanese in regards to this last year when I was forced to buy an Australian approved seat using the top tether system. You can see how much better the ISOFIX system is when you have to take the seat in and out of the car. I have to congratulate the Labor government for finally getting this through!

You would be surprised how many times you have someone sit in the back and accidentally unclip the baby seat trying to put on their own seatbelt. It really was a dumb idea to not move to ISO straight away. I believe Britax were instrument in opposing it for Australia based on their market share here due to out irregular standard.

It is a shame Ford and Holden did not start fitting these to Commodore and Falcon a few years ago, it was inevitable Australia were going to get the standard. Some people will make the choice on second hand cars based on ISOFIX. Perhaps manufacturers don't care too much on second hand, but it can affect resale value. I would never have bought the Liberty GT if it did not have ISOFIX.

[Woodchukka]

Yeah that is why my next child seat will cost about $30,000 and come with a free car. :lol: