It’s been a tough year for American manufacturer Ford and it does not look like it will improve in the short term, but there is finally a bit of good news with its much maligned Explorer improving in a crash test.
It’s been a tough year for American manufacturer Ford and it does not look like it will improve in the short term, but there is finally a bit of good news with its much maligned Explorer improving in a crash test.
The Explorer and the Mercury Mountaineer, which share the same design, earned a "best pick" award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This is the highest rating.
Sales of the Explorer, though still one of the United States’ most popular sport-utility vehicles, took a hit after thousands of rollover accidents involving failed Firestone tyres. It resulted in numerous injuries and quite a few deaths.
Tests are conducted by running the driver’s side front end into a deformable barrier at 65 km/h. The institute rates the vehicles according to the injury measurements on crash dummies, the restraint system and how well the occupant compartment held up.
The institute last tested the 1996 Explorer model, which received only an acceptable rating because the driver door opened during impact. The 2002 Explorer has been redesigned but was still recalled twice this year. "By the results of our recent test, the changes were successful," said institute president Brian O’Neill. "The Explorer’s structure held together very well.
The Explorer and the Acura MDX are the only SUVs among the 11 tested this year to earn the mark.