How are the standards ossified if they are literally updated that year? Also, I think you're confusing two things. Meeting a explicit safety standards by other

How are the standards ossified if they are literally updated that year? Also, I think you're confusing two things. Meeting a explicit safety standards by other means is not the same as being equivalent to other vehicle safety. Ignoring regulations on the basis that your product is overall better is just not how engineering regulations work. You seem to be confusing attribution; we can't say the Pinto is safer because Ford turned a blind eye to regulation. Therefore, they are no off the hook for not ensuring regulations are met. The standard is considered the minimum safety threshold. Consider a surgeon who, on average, has better patient outcomes. Does this absolve them from malpractice lawsuits if they are shown to ignore standards of care like washing their hands in a particular case? It's a weird logic to apply fault when there are clear standards not being met.