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31 July 2003: Ford is expecting a 4-star rating in the Euro-NCAP crash testing programme for its new Focus C-MAX compact MPV. And it expects a good pedestrian protection rating also when the new car is tested.

In response to a query why they hadn't ensured that the C-MAX would get a 5-star rating in line with that gained by the Renault scenic II, Ford Engineering Product Planning Manager Ian Miller said that Ford 'looks at more than the crash test' in its products, and concentrates on features that make it less likely the crash will happen in the first place.

And he noted that the US National Highway and Transport Safety Agency (NHTSA) was moving in the same direction in its car testing programme.

Meanwhile, Ford Ireland boss Eddie Murphy said this week that safety equipment such as the six airbags which are standard in all versions of the C-MAX will all be in the Irish specification.

Earlier he had criticised the attitude of the Department of Finance to safety in cars, for not considering a long-standing Irish motor industry request that safety-related options in new cars here should have a lower VRT rating than the car itself.

	July 2003 - Brian Byrne
Four-star expectation for C-MAX 31 July 2003: Ford is expecting a 4-star rating in the Euro-NCAP crash testing programme for its new Focus C-MAX compact MPV. And it expects a good pedestrian protection rating also when the new car is tested. In response to a query why they hadn't ensured that the C-MAX would get a 5-star rating in line with that gained by the Renault scenic II, Ford Engineering Product Planning Manager Ian Miller said that Ford 'looks at more than the crash test' in its products, and concentrates on features that make it less likely the crash will happen in the first place. And he noted that the US National Highway and Transport Safety Agency (NHTSA) was moving in the same direction in its car testing programme. Meanwhile, Ford Ireland boss Eddie Murphy said this week that safety equipment such as the six airbags which are standard in all versions of the C-MAX will all be in the Irish specification. Earlier he had criticised the attitude of the Department of Finance to safety in cars, for not considering a long-standing Irish motor industry request that safety-related options in new cars here should have a lower VRT rating than the car itself.
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