from www.AutoRemarketing.com
DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford officials happily shared this week that the 2011 Fiesta was named a 2010 Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The automaker now has had eight vehicles receive this designation, the most for any manufacturer, according to officials. Before this week's announcement, Ford had been tied with Toyota for most units hailed by IIHS.
Along with establishing a new industry high, Ford also pointed out the Fiesta is the first mini-car to receive this accolade since the institute introduced a new roof strength test.
OEM officials explained how the Fiesta did so well in IIHS' analysis. They contend the Fiesta's energy-absorbing body structure is optimized for strength and stiffness and designed to absorb and redirect crash forces away from the passenger compartment. The safety rating is thanks in large part to the extensive use of high-strength steels, Trinity front crash structure, Side Protection And Cabin Enhancement (SPACE) Architecture and advanced airbag technologies.
Ford also emphasized the Fiesta features the most standard airbags in its segment, as well as standard electronic stability control — a required feature for Top Safety Pick eligibility.
"Fiesta is proof that a small car can deliver big safety, and earning a Top Safety Pick further demonstrates Ford's commitment to providing all of our customers with world-class crash protection," stated Sue Cischke, Ford's group vice president of sustainability, environment and safety engineering.
"Fiesta combines rigidity and more airbags — smartly deployed — than its competition, as well as standard stability control," Cischke added.
