Nov. 5, 2009 (PR Newswire) -- DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

    --  Ford introduces the auto industry's first-ever production inflatable
seat belts, which are designed to provide additional protection for
rear-seat occupants, often children and older passengers who can be more
vulnerable to head, chest and neck injuries

    --  Ford's inflatable rear seat belts will debut on the next-generation Ford
Explorer sport utility vehicle, which goes into production next year;
Ford eventually plans to offer inflatable seat belt technology in
vehicles globally

    --  Ford's inflatable rear seat belts spread crash forces over five times
more area of the body than conventional seat belts; this helps reduce
pressure on the chest and helps control head and neck motion for rear
seat passengers

    --  More than 90 percent of Ford research participants indicated that Ford's
inflatable seat belts are similar to or more comfortable than
traditional belts, which could help increase the lower rate of rear belt
usage

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is bringing to market the world's first automotive inflatable seat belts, combining attributes of traditional seat belts and air bags to provide an added level of crash safety protection for rear seat occupants.

The advanced restraint system is designed to help reduce head, neck and chest injuries for rear seat passengers, often children and older passengers who can be more vulnerable to such injuries.

Ford will introduce inflatable rear seat belts on the next-generation Ford Explorer, which goes into production next year for the North American market. Over time, Ford plans to offer the technology in vehicles globally.

"Ford's rear inflatable seat belt technology will enhance safety for rear-seat passengers of all ages, especially for young children who are more vulnerable in crashes," said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president of Sustainability, Environmental and Safety Engineering. "This is another unique family technology that builds on our safety leadership, including the most top safety ratings of any automaker."

Safer and more comfortable

Advances in air bag inflation and seat belt construction methods have enabled Ford and its suppliers to develop inflatable seat belts that are designed to deploy over a vehicle occupant's torso and shoulder in 40 milliseconds in the event of a crash.

In everyday use, the inflatable belts operate like conventional seat belts and are safe and compatible with infant and children safety car and booster seats.