SOUNDBITES: NEXT GENERATION DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG
The all-new 2012 Ford Focus will launch exclusive airbag technologies that enhance protection for front seat occupants in the most common frontal and side crashes.
Ford Safety Manager Matt Niesluchowski, (Ness-la-how-ski) says the suite of new innovations includes Ford’s next-generation driver-front airbag with enhanced chest protection technology.
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"The next generation driver airbag that has enhanced chest protection that we're introducing on the new Focus uses tethers inside the airbag to help shape the airbag, specifically to reduce the loads on the chest, to help reduce chest deflection and chest injuries." :14 sec. |
The new airbag will come as standard equipment on the all-new 2012 Ford Focus, and will roll out on other Ford vehicles in the next few years. |
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"Yes, it's going into the 2012 Focus, would be the first North American application, and we expect it to go across a number of vehicles in North America because of the safety benefits." :09 sec. |
While seat belts and airbags provide proven protection for drivers of all ages, elderly drivers remain at higher risk of injury than younger drivers due to the nature of collision forces. Niesluchowski (Ness-la-how-ski) says Ford's next generation driver side airbag will benefit the elderly driver in particular. |
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"Reducing the loads on the chest is an important factor and provides good benefits for both young and old, but in particular for older occupants." :07 sec. |
Ford was the first automaker to begin airbag research five decades ago. It fielded an airbag test fleet in 1971, offered a drive-side airbag in 1985 and standardized driver and front-passenger airbags in most vehicles by 1993. Ford has the most Top Safety Picks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety of any automaker. |
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