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Ford to Add Standard Anti-Rollover System to 05 Explorer

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Ford Timing Ideally Coincides with U.S. Government Push for Active Safety

In a move to instill confidence in its midsize Explorer sport utility vehicle, as concerns remain in consumers minds since the Firestone tire rollover debacle in 2000 claimed 271 lives and caused yet more injuries, followed by hundreds of related lawsuits and associated negative press, Ford will equip 2005 models, and three additional SUVs with standard anti-rollover technology.

The new system, dubbed Roll Stability Control (RSC), is said to automatically

Ford is trying hard to ease consumers mindsets after the Firestone tire rollover debacle in 2000. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

The additional SUVs to get RSC will be 2005 versions of the Explorer-based Mercury Mountaineer and

Ford will equip 2005 Explorers, and three additional SUVs with standard anti-rollover technology. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

The fact that RSC is optional on the more expensive Expedition and standard on the Explorer is

One third of all passenger vehicle deaths, which is more than 10,000 people, die each year in rollovers. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

The first vehicle to offer RSC was Volvos 2003 XC90, a Ford Motor brand. Success with the Volvo system was reason enough for Ford to offer it first on its upscale Lincoln sport utilities and now on its Ford branded SUVs. The compact Escape will not offer the anti-rollover system.

Fords timing is definitely spot on, being that the U.S. federal government is pushing for automakers to integrate active safety

"Anything we can do to strengthen the Explorer brand, were going to do," stated Fords group vice president of North America product creation Phil Martens. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

While rollovers only represent 3 percent of accidents, they claim more lives than other MVAs. To be more specific, one third of all passenger vehicle deaths, which is more than 10,000 people die each year in rollovers.

Ford, of course, maintains that the Explorer is one of the safest SUVs on the market, but nevertheless the truck is stained with a dark history.

"Anything we can do to strengthen the Explorer brand, were going to do," stated Fords group vice president

Despite its torrid past, the Explorer still remains the best selling SUV in the U.S., and no doubt the safer 2005 model will do even better. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)