Stability control for Ford utes from September

Ford Australia has announced it will add stability control to its range of Falcon utes and cab-chassis models starting September 2008. The safety-focused driver aid will be optional on base and R6 models but will be included in the standard specification of higher grade models.

The rollout is based on the suspension set-up the Fords feature, rather than powerplants. Ford's Bosch-based Dynamic Stability Control system will be fitted standard on FG Falcon Ute models equipped with sports suspension from September production, while the "workhorse models" with ¾-tonne and one-tonne suspension packages arrive until December build.

Ford's DSC system incorporates Traction Control, four-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA). Ford says EBA has not previously been available on Falcon Ute models.

At this stage, like FG sedan and BF MkIII wagon, DSC will only be offered on petrol-engined models. The current set-up is not compatible with Ford's existing LPG system.

"With the introduction of DSC on Falcon Ute, in conjunction with the availability of side head/thorax airbags, customers are able to configure their vehicle with a comprehensive safety package that is unmatched in the passenger-derived ute market," Ford Australia Vice-President Marketing and Sales Mark Winslow said.

"The Territory was the first Australian-built vehicle to be equipped with an electronic chassis control system when it was released in 2004, while the following year Ford delivered the first local application of DSC technology on a V8 sedan, as well as the first use of DSC with a manual transmission.

"Since then DSC has become standard equipment across the entire Territory range, as well as on all petrol Falcon sedan models. It was also introduced on the petrol Falcon wagon with the recent release of the BF Falcon Wagon MkIII."

Ford will "revise" [read: increase] pricing of its ute models in line with the introduction of stability control. The increase will be $500. Holden offers stability control as standard equipment across its VE ute line-up. 

In those Falcon LCV models where DSC is offered as an option it will be priced at $500.

From September, stability control will be fitted as standard equipment on all petrol XR models including XR6 Cab Chassis and Styleside Box, XR6 Turbo Styleside Box and XR8 Styleside Box models. It will be an option on the sports-suspended petrol R6 Styleside Box model.

From December, DSC will be available as an option on the remainder of the line-up, including the entry-level Falcon Ute Cab Chassis and Styleside Box, R6 Cab Chassis models plus R6 Styleside Box and XR6 Cab Chassis models fitted with optional one-tonne suspension.

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