“LIES” TO CONGRESS

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32395, 7 September 1970, Page 13

“LIES” TO CONGRESS

Advocate’s Assertion (N.Z.P.A -Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON, Sept 6. A consumer advocate, Mr R. Nader, has asserted that General Motors officials deliberately lied to Congress about the safety of the Corvair car. He has demanded that the president and board chairman of General Motors resign immediately. In a letter to the Secretary of Transport (Mr J. Volpe) Mr Nader, a lawyer, said. “General Motors manufactured and maintained a massive lie"— that the rear-engined Corvair was as safe as any other car. He urged Mr Volpe to recall the 600.000 Corvairs that he said were still on the road.

He said these cars still were unstable and tended to turn over easily, and that carbon monoxide leaked into the passenger compartments. Mr Nader said he has asked Senator A. Ribicoff (Democrat Connecticut) to reopen the 1966 Senate hearings at which he claimed General Motors’ officials falsely testified. Mr Nader says he has evidence showing that General Motors officials knew as early as 1962 that the Corvair was unstable, and leaked exhaust fumes in the passenger compartment.