Five-stars for Ford's favourite commercial

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has granted Ford's Falcon utility a five-star safety rating, following its own independent crash test of the locally-manufactured commercial vehicle. Announced by the crash-testing authority earlier today, the five-star result for the Falcon now matches that of its archrival, the Holden Commodore Ute, which was tested in September last year.

Under the new, stricter test criteria, both six- and eight-cylinder models fitted with stability control, side airbags and floor-mounted transmission selector (as opposed to column shift) achieve a five-star rating, bettering the FG Falcon ute's previous four-star result, achieved back in 2008 (when stability control was not offered).

"The FG Falcon has been judged by ANCAP to be the safety leader amongst locally manufactured vehicles, which further reinforces Ford's long standing reputation for safety leadership in Australia," said Ford Australia President and CEO, Marin Burela.

"We design our cars to deliver real-world safety benefits for our customers, but this result serves as a resounding third party endorsement of the world-class body structure and comprehensive suite of active and passive safety features we have developed for Falcon.

"The FG Falcon is the safest vehicle ever developed by Ford in Australia and this safety leadership has been recognised by ANCAP."

The FG Falcon Ute received a total score of 33.58 points (out of a possible 37 points), giving it the highest score ever recorded by a utility in Australia, as well as the second highest score ever achieved by a locally-produced vehicle, behind the FG Falcon sedan.

The Falcon Ute also scored 14.62 out of 16 in the frontal offset crash test, with ANCAP reporting that the passenger compartment "was in excellent shape after the test", while a score of 15.96 out of 16 was recorded for the side impact crash test.

"These utilities are very popular for workers right around Australia, so it is important that they have the same five-star occupant safety as cars like the Falcon sedan" explained ANCAP Chair, Lauchlan McIntosh.

"Crash research shows that head-protecting side airbags halve the risk of a brain injury in a severe side impact.  An ANCAP five-star rating ensures that the vehicle has this protection, as well as the life-saving crash avoidance technology, ESC (stability control).

"I urge all fleet managers and every new car buyer to choose a five-star ANCAP rated vehicle."

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