Ford Windstar sets unprecedented safety mark

DEARBORN, Mich. - The 1999 Ford Windstar has been awarded unprecedented top safety scores in all categories of crash protection in the government's New Car Assessment Program.

The Windstar minivan just received the highest ratings in side-impact crash testing making it the first and only vehicle to receive dual five-star ratings for driver and passenger protection in a frontal crash and dual five-star ratings for front and rear door side-impact protection. The ratings are awarded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) based on the results from actual high-speed crash tests.

Dr. Ricardo Martinez, NHTSA administrator, announced Ford's achievement and lauded the company's commitment Tuesday night at the Automotive News World Congress industry forum in Detroit.

"We couldn't be prouder of Windstar's performance, but make no mistake, these exceptional ratings didn't happen by chance," said Jac Nasser, Ford president and chief executive officer. "We are committed to cleaner, safer, more efficient vehicles. And our customers can expect more five star vehicles in the future."

Windstar has earned top five-star ratings for driver and passenger in frontal crashes since its introduction in 1995. The top rating for side impact was achieved this year in the vehicle's initial side impact test. NHTSA instituted side impact crash testing last year.

Frontal and side impact crashes combined account for 85 percent of injuries to drivers and passengers and nearly half of all fatalities.

Ford has consistently performed well in the government's crash test program. In the 1998 model year, Ford had three top-rated vehicles for frontal crash, as many as all other manufacturers combined. And already this year Ford has added the Taurus and Mercury Sable to that list, and once again leads the combined efforts of all other automakers.

Last year, Ford also was the first automaker to announce plans to introduce a combination head/chest side air bag throughout its entire North American line-up over the next several years. The Windstar minivan offers optional side air bags this year.

All Ford vehicles are designed with the objective of reducing the risk of injury and the severity of injury in the event of an accident. Ford engineers have stressed safety cell technology and crash energy management to help absorb the forces of a collision and help maintain the passenger compartment as much as possible. Vehicle restraint systems, including safety belts and air bags, have also been designed to provide additional protection to vehicle occupants.

Ford uses the most advanced computer technology in the industry to make sure its vehicles meet or exceed stringent crashworthiness standards. Top engineers and biomechanical experts work closely to determine how different vehicle designs will perform in a collision. Only models that effectively absorb impact energy and help ensure the safety of occupants are selected for further testing and development.

In addition to being the first automaker to achieve dual five-star ratings for both frontal and side impact, and its industry-leading side air bag announcement, Ford also was the first automaker to commit to depowering air bags across its entire North American line-up, and last week became the first automaker to broadly commit to installing a new generation of advanced restraint systems across its full vehicle line-up.

Windstar also is one of the cleanest vehicles on the road. For the 1999 model year, every Windstar sold nationwide will be a Low Emission Vehicle (LEV). As a LEV, Windstar will emit 70 percent less smog-forming hydrocarbons than allowed by federal standards.

In addition to the government's top rating, Windstar also has earned the highest possible rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) high-speed offset frontal crash tests.