Engineer: 2012 Focus Crash-Tested 80,000 Times
Ford Focus safety engineer divulges details of the new compact.
www.FordInsideNews.com
December 17, 2010
By: Nick Saporito
In what is becoming a regular occurrence out of Ford social media outlets, a Ford employee of significance chatted with consumers on Facebook today. Today's employee guest was Matt Niesluchowski, whom is in charge of all safety related features on the upcoming 2012 Focus. Niesluchowski divulged several new details about the new Focus and the 'focus' Ford has placed with safety on it.
Perhaps the most notable specification mentioned is that the new Focus was crash tested 80,000 times in real life and another 12,000 simulated crashes. That seems like a lot, but Nieslouchowski claimed that Ford's crash testing is amongst the most efficient in the world.
Also mentioned was the fact that the Focus B-pillar is pioneering a new tailor rolling process so that it can be fabricated from very high strength steel. Niesluchowski stated that this new process allowed for the B-pillar design to be what it is today without compromising the safety aspect of the vehicle.
One participant asked what the biggest safety difference is between the last generation Focus and the 2012. The response was that the new Focus is leverage much more high strength and ultra high strength steel- including Boron steel.
Another participant asked if the 2011 Explorer's inflatable seatbelts would make their way into the new Focus at some point, but Ford dodged the question by stating that the inflatable seatbelts would be rolled out to additional vehicle lines in the future.
The new Focus comes standard with six airbags and will be launching in the United States towards the end of next month.
Ford Focus safety engineer divulges details of the new compact.
www.FordInsideNews.com
December 17, 2010
By: Nick Saporito
In what is becoming a regular occurrence out of Ford social media outlets, a Ford employee of significance chatted with consumers on Facebook today. Today's employee guest was Matt Niesluchowski, whom is in charge of all safety related features on the upcoming 2012 Focus. Niesluchowski divulged several new details about the new Focus and the 'focus' Ford has placed with safety on it.
Perhaps the most notable specification mentioned is that the new Focus was crash tested 80,000 times in real life and another 12,000 simulated crashes. That seems like a lot, but Nieslouchowski claimed that Ford's crash testing is amongst the most efficient in the world.
Also mentioned was the fact that the Focus B-pillar is pioneering a new tailor rolling process so that it can be fabricated from very high strength steel. Niesluchowski stated that this new process allowed for the B-pillar design to be what it is today without compromising the safety aspect of the vehicle.
One participant asked what the biggest safety difference is between the last generation Focus and the 2012. The response was that the new Focus is leverage much more high strength and ultra high strength steel- including Boron steel.
Another participant asked if the 2011 Explorer's inflatable seatbelts would make their way into the new Focus at some point, but Ford dodged the question by stating that the inflatable seatbelts would be rolled out to additional vehicle lines in the future.
The new Focus comes standard with six airbags and will be launching in the United States towards the end of next month.