Following reports that the NHTSA might make stability control a legal requirement in the coming years, Ford today announced it will build all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury retail cars and trucks with standard electronic stability control (ESC) by the end of 2009. “This is an acceleration of our plans to standardize safety features and is in line with our goal to be America’s car company,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Product Development, The Americas. “That commitment and an intense customer focus at the heart of the Way Forward plan led us to accelerate our plans to standardize electronic stability control systems.” A recent IIHS study indicates ESC systems can reduce single vehicle crashes by more than 40 percent and fatal accidents by 56 percent.
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09/13, 11:25 AM
posted by:
Renton
If they are still in business.
09/13, 12:11 PM
posted by:
Andrew
So what? If it’ll be a government mandate, every car will have stability control before long… If Ford thinks they’re one step ahead of the game, they need to look at Europe… aside from the cheapest VWs, stability control is standard on every car imported to the US or Canada. Japan and South Korea aren’t far behind, either. To get stability control on a Ford means skipping the Focus and Fusion and buying a big Five Hundred. Yeah, right.
09/13, 12:58 PM
posted by:
Renton
If the car already has ABS, stability control is easily implemented isn’t it? Some sensors and some software.
I do not think this will make the roads any safer. Most accidents are caused by not paying attention, all the stability control in the world won’t do a thing.
09/13, 2:53 PM
posted by:
dl_caldwell
The last time I checked the Five-Hundred/Montego/Freestyle did NOT offer stability control. Which is very surprising given the price of those cars. So it probably means buying an Explorer or an Expedition!!
09/13, 3:15 PM
posted by:
Fatstrat
I didnt think the price of the 500 was real high. I think you can get a decently appointed model for $25k.
However, you would think that stability control would at least be an option.
09/13, 3:30 PM
posted by:
Andrew
Wow, I guess you are right, dl_caldwell and Fatstrat… the 500 does not have stability control… even traction control is an option. Talk about a competitive defecit.
And Fatstrat, it’s not the price of the 500, it’s the desirability of it. Even as a family car, it pales in comparison to the Chrysler 300, Toyota Avalon, etc. It doesn’t even pretend to be an enthusiasts’ car, which I guess is fine, since the Fusion occasionally tries to mascarade as one (and it fails miserably in comparison to the Mazda6, Passat, Accord, etc)
09/13, 4:47 PM
posted by:
1952 MG TD
WOOOOHOOOO!!!!!! Ford announed a GOOD thing! Lets bash them!!!!
09/13, 6:17 PM
posted by:
dealpaka
Yeah really.
09/13, 6:51 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Good for Ford, but I’m still against ESC in general.
09/13, 9:39 PM
posted by:
Veda
Awesome, exactly what I’m waiting for.
09/14, 12:27 AM
posted by:
Dav is Dead
cool. now i’ll buy a ford for sure.