Ford’s Crash Center
I found an interesting article on detnews.com written by Scott Burgess about new safety testing being done. Ford Motor Co. has set up a Paint and Body Technology Center that will help to lower costs of vehicle repairs. According to Ford’s president of customer service division, Darryl Hazel, “out bottom line for this new initiative is simple: If your vehicle costs less to repair, it’s going to cost less to insure.” Less repairs costs also mean less money out of the pocket’s of the customers. All automakers crash test vehicles, but Ford has brought its safety and repair designers and engineers into the fold during the vehicle’s development instead of afterward.
The new 2010 Ford Focus underwent design changes to improve its safety and lower repair costs. On a 6 mile per hour bumper crash test, the Ford Focus sustained $588 worth of damage. On the same test, the Volkswagen Rabbit had $4078 worth of damage. The development of the Ford’s vehicles are concerning themselves with more safety and hopefully less costly repairs if needed, and therefore saving the consumer money.
The 2009 Ford F-150 has undergone design changes in the frame by building it in three parts, and this could save $2000 in frame repairs. According to Ford, every 2010 vehicle will endure the testing and repair program and Ford hopes to develop even more in the near future.