Ford leads all automakers with most 'Top Safety Picks'

Ford surpassed its closest rival Honda this week when four of its 2009 models - Ford Flex, Ford Fusion, Lincoln MKS and Mercury Milan - achieved 'Top Safety Pick' ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The Flex, Ford's all-new head-turning crossover, the new Lincoln MKS full-size flagship sedan and the Fusion and Milan midsize sedans build on the company's safety leadership. Ford also has more 5-star government crash test ratings than any other automaker.

"Leading the industry in 'Top Safety Picks' is great news, because IIHS tests are some of the most demanding conducted outside of our own laboratories, and customers are increasingly relying on them when choosing a new vehicle,"

said Susan Cischke, Ford's Group Vice President of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering.

To earn IIHS's 'Top Safety Pick,' vehicles must earn the top 'good' ratings in the institute's high-speed front and side crash tests, and a rear crash test simulation that evaluates seat and head restraints. An added requirement since 2007 is that vehicles also must offer electronic stability control.

Flex, MKS, Fusion and Milan excelled in each of the institute's crash tests, and AdvanceTrac electronic stability control is available for each vehicle. The safety system uses sensors to detect and measure yaw, or side-to-side skidding conditions, by monitoring the vehicle's speed, throttle position and steering wheel angle. When AdvanceTrac senses wheel slip, engine torque is reduced and braking is applied where needed to help the driver keep the car tracking on its intended path. IIHS has stated that "AdvanceTrac significantly reduces crash risk by helping drivers maintain control of their vehicles during emergency maneuvers."

IIHS said 'Top Safety Pick' vehicles are "at the head of the class for safety," and recognizing them as such "helps consumers distinguish the best overall choices without having to sort through multiple test results."

Structural Strength Is a Safety Fundamental Flex, MKS, Fusion and Milan get some of their core strength from the use of lightweight aluminum-coated boron steel one of the strongest weld-able materials in the body structure. The use of high-strength steel in the B-pillars is only part of their robust safety profile. Ford engineers also located the side door intrusion beams to help manage and absorb energy during side impact crashes.

Steve Kozak, Ford's Chief Engineer for safety systems, said:
"Flex and MKS are built on a platform that has a tremendous safety heritage one that it shares with the 2009 Ford Taurus, rated America's safest full-size car. And Fusion and Milan prove that a high level of safety can come in a midsize package."

In addition to electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes, standard safety features on Flex, MKS, Fusion and Milan include:
• Six Standard Air Bags and Ford's Personal Safety System: Safety features include six air bags (dual-stage driver and front-passenger air bags, thorax side air bags for front-seat occupants and side-impact air curtains), safety belt pretensioners, seat weight-sensing system for the front passenger seat and crash-severity sensing.
• Ford's BeltMinder, a safety belt reminder technology for the driver and front passenger that takes over after the initial safety belt reminder stops chiming.
• LATCH: The Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren system provides convenient mounting points for compatible child seats.
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System: This system warns a driver if one or more tires are underinflated. An active pressure sensor with a radio transmitter is mounted inside each tire. A receiver in the vehicle monitors each transmitter, and if tire pressure is not within specific limits, it will activate a visual warning light.
Other key safety features on select models include:
• Adaptive Collapsible Steering Column - In an impact, the column will collapse, dependent on the weight and belted status of the driver.
• Safety Canopy - Ford's exclusive side impact protection system features side curtain air bags that help protect front and rear outboard passengers in both rollovers and side impact crashes.

"Safety is a top purchase consideration, second only to fuel efficiency, so the top safety ratings and competitive fuel economy of Flex, MKS, Fusion and Milan are a winning combination," said Michael Crowley, North America car and Crossover Marketing Manager, Ford Motor Company.