8. Safety First: Airbag Leadership
Oldsmobile set a pioneering example in automotive safety by equipping the 1974 Toronado with a driver-side airbag, well ahead of Cadillac’s adoption of the technology. This early commitment to occupant protection highlighted Oldsmobile’s innovative approach and desire to put driver safety at the forefront. While airbags would become standard decades later, Oldsmobile’s forward-thinking move gave it a clear lead in the safety race within GM’s luxury divisions. Airbags in Oldsmobile.