Striking New Ford Fiesta Interior Given 'Allergy-Tested' Seal Of Aproval

COLOGNE - September 25, 2008: The all-new Ford Fiesta and the Ford Fusion are the latest Ford models which have been awarded with an official ‘allergy-tested’ seal, first achieved by the Ford Focus C-MAX in 2004. Now all Ford cars have been certified for their allergy friendly interior.

The award adds to new Fiesta’s impressive sustainability credentials, which already include Ford’s most frugal car ever, the 3.7l/100km or 76.3 mpg* Fiesta ECOnetic, plus weight savings and efficiency improvements for lower fuel consumption and emissions across the range.

In total, nine Ford cars are now certified by TÜV – including current Ka model, new Fiesta plus Fusion, Focus, C-MAX, Kuga, Mondeo, S‑MAX and Galaxy. Ford remains the only car manufacturer in the world whose products carry official TÜV allergy-friendly certification.

“This award is another significant contribution to the sustainability story behind the new Fiesta and it reflects the attention to detail and quality present in all Ford vehicles,” said Dr Wolfgang Schneider, Ford of Europe Vice President, for Legal, Governmental and Environmental Affairs. “We know such credentials are important to our customers and we will continue to develop vehicles to these standards,” he added.

Extensive, scientifically verifiable tests are conducted for the assessment by the TÜV, including analysis of more than 100 materials and components for harmful substances or allergy-causing potential.

As part of Ford's development programme for vehicle interiors, Ford engineers reduce to the absolute minimum using materials such as latex, chrome and nickel that can provoke allergic reactions in some people. Additionally, all components likely to have direct and prolonged skin contact such as the steering wheel, seat covers and seat belts are also dermatologically tested.

Vehicles are also equipped with high-performance pollen filters that prevent allergic pollens from entering the car's interior and ensure a high level of cabin air quality.

Only recently, Ford of Europe's other small car – the Fusion – successfully underwent TÜV's testing procedure, adding to the impressive number of vehicles now certified.

The TÜV is an independent, authoritative German testing and assessment organisation that controls and certifies quality standards for industrial and consumer products. TÜV certification assures a vehicle’s interior materials are selected in order to minimise the allergy risk to the lowest possible level.

In February 2008, the Berlin-based European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF, www.ecarf.org, also awarded Ford with its quality certificate as an additional recognition for the company’s ‘allergy-tested interior’ initiative.