This summer, the Ford Taurus X Crossover will be delivered in showrooms tagged with two remarkable titles - the Top Safety Pick rating by the IIHS or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and a five-star crash test ratings from the government. The Top Safety Pick from IIHS can only be obtained by a vehicle if the best-available safety performance in front, side and rear collisions are achieved and also comes with electronic stability control.

“It’s a true testament to the safety engineering of the Taurus X crossover and the Taurus and Sable family cars that they achieved top crash test ratings from both IIHS and NHTSA,” said Sue Cischke, the senior vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering for the Ford Motor Company. “Ford and Volvo worked together to leverage our technical and intellectual resources to create an outstanding vehicle architecture. Now all three vehicles are better than ever. They offer it all: safety, power, spaciousness and comfort at a great value."

The Ford Taurus X is packed with standard AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control. It is also available in all-wheel drive to give drivers a more secure ride and enhanced handling in all weather conditions. By the end of 2009, all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury retail cars and trucks will arrive with a standard electronic stability control.

“We believe our electronic stability control systems enhance vehicle safety by helping the driver prevent many accidents in the first place,” Cischke said. “Making families safer is a key part of our pledge to drive safety innovation.”

The composition of the Taurus X, Taurus and the Sable family cars are built with crush zones especially designed to direct and turn excess energy around the passenger section into a strong safety cage. A modern cross-car beam “SPACETM Architecture” below the front seats strengthens the structure between the B-pillars, which assists direct energy far from passengers.