May 13, 2009 Ford E-News

DEARBORN, Mich., May 13, 2009: Ford Engineers Pit Shopping Carts, Water Cannons Against New Safety Technologies

Using robots to ram shopping cars and bicycle wheels into car doors, and blasting water cannons to force vehicle into skids, Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] engineers are using extreme tests to fine tune new, industry-leading safety technologies for its vehicles. Used to test technologies like the Collision Warning with Brake Support crash-avoidance system, these tests are part of Ford's efforts to accelerate new collision protection and avoidance technologies. Ford's safety leadership is built on having more Insurance Institute-rated "Top Safety Pick" vehicles than any other automaker and the most U.S. government 5-star test ratings of any brand. For a complete gallery of Ford's extreme safety testing, visit the Ford Safety Technology and Testing Web Site.

Nationwide, 100,000 consumers will have the opportunity to drive a Ford Fiesta before its official launch - as a part of the Fiesta Movement, the social media campaign building awareness for the 2011 Fiesta for North America. Beginning this month, five regional teams will travel the country with European-specification Fiestas stopping at small towns and big cities, as well as regional events and festivals to let consumers get behind the wheel. Each stop on the tour also will be a wireless Internet hotspot, allowing participants to share their Fiesta experiences immediately following the drive to the online community real-time.