2003 Corporate Citizenship Report - Ford Motor Company

VEHICLE SAFETY
CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR
In 2002, Ford and representatives of the law enforcement community
formed a Blue Ribbon Panel and Technical Task Force to reduce the
risks of fire-related injuries faced by police officers in high-speed,
high-energy rear crashes. In August 2003, Ford announced plans to
offer a fire suppression system as a factory option on Crown Victoria
Police Interceptors during the 2005 model year. This is an automotive
industry first. For more information on the Crown Victoria Police
Interceptor, visit www.cvpi.com.
Depend On It,” recognizes that road safety means something
different in every part of the world. For example, in developing
countries, growth in personal vehicle ownership often outpaces
the construction of adequate roads for all users, exacerbating
compatibility issues among vehicles and bicycles, motorbikes
and pedestrians. As part of the campaign, Ford locations in
Germany, Sweden, South Africa, the Philippines and other
countries held events focusing on the unique local conditions. In
India, for example, Ford employees distributed reflective stickers
for nonmotorized vehicles to increase awareness of road safety.
Other activities are planned around the world throughout 2004.
In Bangkok, Thailand, Volvo Cars, the Thailand Department of
Highways and the Global Road Safety Partnership (an
organization initiated by the World Bank) came together to create
the Thailand Accident Research Center. Volvo has shared its deep
know-how on gathering and analyzing data from accidents. The
Center sends teams of researchers in a specially equipped Volvo
to investigate accidents in Bangkok and the surrounding area
with the aim of improving safety in Thailand. The data will be
used by the government to take action and by Ford Motor
Company to design safer vehicles.
HOW ARE WE DOING?
A number of external organizations have designed tests
intended to help measure the safety performance of vehicles in
various crash modes. These tests are changing over time, and
new tests are being added. For example, the EuroNCAP safety
assessments have begun to evaluate the child safety features of
vehicles. Russian authorities have begun testing vehicles sold in
that country, modeled on the EuroNCAP methodology. In the
United States, the NHTSA has introduced a dynamic NCAP
rollover test using a high-speed “fishhook” maneuver, in addition
to the current static stability factor. Ford supported comments by
the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers that the fishhook
maneuver is very severe, has a high degree of variability and
does not replicate real-world driving conditions.
FAST FACT
Of the 2003 Ford
vehicles tested by
the NHTSA, 100
percent received a
four- or five-star
rating in the frontal
NCAP tests.
Our vehicles continue to perform well in crash tests, according
to a variety of third-party assessments. For example:
• Of the 2003 Ford vehicles tested by the NHTSA, 100 percent
received a four- or five-star rating in the frontal NCAP tests.
• The 2004 F-150 pickup truck was awarded a “best pick”
rating by the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, as
were the 2004 Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans.
The F-150 was also the only pickup truck to earn five-star
(highest) ratings for both driver and passenger protection in
U.S. frontal NCAP tests.
• The 2004 Volvo XC90 was one of the first SUVs to earn
five stars (the top rating) in EuroNCAP testing. All Ford
products tested received at least four EuroNCAP stars for
occupant protection.
• The Focus C-MAX received the first, and so far only,
four-star rating in the newly introduced EuroNCAP child
protection tests. The Russian-built Focus received the
highest rating among all the cars tested.
• The Jaguar XJ8 and the Volvo S80 jointly received the top
safety rating in the luxury class in Which? magazine (a UK
consumer magazine). In the large-car class, the Volvo S60
received the top safety score.
We will continue to assess the appropriate metrics for measuring
the performance of our vehicles as we attempt to balance
frequently changing government and nongovernment test
requirements with real-world safety.
During 2003, we submitted the first reports required by the
Transportation Recall Enhancement Accountability and
Documentation (TREAD) Act passed in 2000. The Act requires
vehicle, tire and child restraint manufacturers to submit data to
the NHTSA on accidents, safety complaints and warranty claims.
The information collected is part of a database intended to
provide early warning of potential vehicle safety issues.
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