RPO83

The 2003 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Marauder have earned the top safety scores – a double five-star rating – in the government's frontal impact crash test.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded its top rating for the driver and passenger occupants to these vehicle models. Other 2003 Ford Motor Company vehicles with the double five-star rating for frontal crash are the Ford Windstar, Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable, Ford Mustang 2-door, F-150 Supercrew 4-door 4x2, Mazda MPV, Mazda 6 4-door and the Volvo S80.

In the government's test, officially known as the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), vehicles are rated on the protection provided to occupants in a frontal collision. Five stars indicate the best crash protection for vehicles of similar weight, while fewer stars indicate less relative protection. More occupant fatalities and injuries occur in frontal crashes than any other crash situation.

"The double five-star ratings confirm our own analysis of the safety performance of these excellent products," said Jim Vondale, director, Automotive Safety Office. "These vehicles have a strong overall record for real-world safety."

Ford designs all of its vehicles with the objective of reducing the risk and severity of injury in an accident. Ford safety engineers and experts use the most advanced computer technology in the industry to ensure its vehicles meet or exceed stringent crashworthiness standards. Only vehicle designs that effectively absorb impact energy and help provide occupant safety during computer simulation are chosen for further testing and development.

Ford incorporates an array of other very stringent safety testing in the development of its vehicles, including frontal offset, side impact and rear impact.

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*Retired.