On January 19,1998, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made the Final Ruling allowing the installation of Aftermarket Air Bag On/Off Switches. ( Ruling: 49CFR, parts 571 & 595; Docket #- NHTSA-97-3111) The ruling allows individuals who fall under the definition of “AT RISK”, to receive permission from NHTSA to have a legal Air Bag On/Off Switch installed on their vehicle.
AirBag Options, Inc., (No longer in business) realized the demand and therefore the need for a Universal Air Bag On/Off Switch, to fulfill the increasing market. The first and original Universal Switch was designed and built in 1998 by AirBag Options, Inc. The product was an instant success.
As with any success, copycat companies used the AirBag Options product as the model to duplicate their “own” switch. However the look-a-like products never copied the whole design. The AirBag Options, Inc., product is the only switch available that includes additional features, such as; an “ON” light (which is not required by NHTSA), and a “Liability Fuse” which protects the customers from false litigation. These features are still standard today.
AirBag Options, Inc., was the first and only company to offer Mobile Installation. The technicians would travel directly to an individuals’ home or office, in order to install the air bag control switch onto the vehicle. The technicians would travel within the contiguous 48 states.
In 2001, AOI Electrical, Inc., purchased the AirBag Options product and business. Immediately, AOI Electrical, Inc., started making improvements to the product and the market.
AOI Electrical, Inc., developed the first Aftermarket Plug-N-Play Air Bag Control Switch. The Plug-N-Play design was in response to the need within the Law Enforcement Community to protect: the officers from personal injury, the equipment from destruction and the departments from litigation. The Plug-N-Play capability enabled the departments to install a switch into the patrol vehicles without compromising the wiring harness of the air bag system. The AOI Control Switch plugs directly into the factory wiring harness. Again, a huge success.
(AOI Electrical, Inc., has well over 30,000 units in use within the Law Enforcement Community)
AOI Electrical, Inc., then developed the first Dual Stage Air Bag On/Off Switch in order to keep up with the constantly changing air bag system of newer vehicles. With the development of the new control switch, AOI was able to secure TWO UNITED STATES PATENTS.
In order to constantly improve the product line of Control Switches, AOI Electrical, Inc., has developed Plug-N-Play capability for many makes and models of vehicles. Providing a Plug-N-Play style of product allows almost anyone who is mechanically inclined to install the product easily.
The results of the dedication of AOI Electrical, Inc., to stay ahead of the curve, while building a quality product has resulted in many rewards:
AOI Electrical, Inc., was awarded a contract with a division of Chevrolet, to provide Air Bag On/Off Switches for their factory ordered police cruisers.
AOI Electrical, Inc., is the recognized and preferred vendor of Law Enforcement across the country.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration continues to refer customers to AOI Electrical, Inc., on a daily basis.
AOI Electrical, Inc.’s, business continues to grow despite the threat of competitors who crudely copy the product, ignor the U.S. Patents and plagerize the web site. AOI is proof-positive that hard work and a commitment to quality pays off. AOI Electrical, Inc., thrives on the challenge to stay on the cutting edge, in order to answer the needs of all current and future customers.