Ford Transit to Feature Innovative Five-Row Airbag - Analyst Blog

Ford Motor Co. F is introducing an innovative five-row side-curtain airbag as part of its Safety Canopy System. The new airbag will make its first appearance in the new Ford Transit 15-passenger wagon in the U.S. and Canada. It was developed jointly with TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. TRW.

The five-row side-curtain airbag is 15 feet long and 3 feet tall with a volume of 120 liters, significantly larger than normal side-curtain airbags that are 6.8 feet long and 2 feet tall with a volume of 42 liters. The large size will ensure better head and neck protection across five rows in case of rollover or side-impact crash.

However, Ford had to devise a way to ensure that the airbag deploys evenly across its length when the inflators fill them. Moreover, it used a coated, polyester-based fabric so that the airbag stays inflated for a few seconds.

Recently, Ford announced a new smaller and lighter airbag design, which will be introduced later this year in the 2015 Mustang. The small size allows it to be placed in new regions in the vehicle to ensure design innovation and larger space.

Initially, the new airbag will be integrated into the glove box door of the Mustang to replace the conventional knee airbag that is placed under the instrument panel. Ford owns 15 U.S. patents related to the new knee airbag and has filed for more.

Moreover, the automaker is introducing the Ford SYNC 911 Assist feature on the 2015 Mustang. The feature uses a mobile phone connected to SYNC which calls 911 and provides detailed information about a crash, such as location, crash type, safety belt usage, airbag deployment, and so on, in order to assist the emergency dispatchers. For instance, if the feature informs the dispatcher that both front seats were fastened during a crash, it indicates that there are at least 2 people in the car and hence more than 1 ambulance may be required.

Additionally, Ford will provide a standard comprehensive safety system on the new Mustang, including an increased number of crash sensors, safety belt anchor pretensioners, improved exterior lighting and double the number of airbags.

Ford currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked automobile stocks worth considering include Fox Factory Holding Corp FOXF and Tower International, Inc. TOWR. Both these stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).