The 2013 Ford Focus Electric has earned a top vehicle safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration according to a company press release.
Click here for more information on the Ford's website.
Ford's electric vehicle, the first all-electric car released by the company, recently earned a five-star Overall Vehicle Score in NHTSA New Car Assessment Program testing. The testing involves vehicle performance in side-impact and frontal crash tests and resistance rollover according to the NHTSA website.
"As more people shop for electrified vehicles, the Focus Electric now offers both a top vehicle safety rating from NHTSA and a faster-charging technology that allows it to fully recharge in three to four hours," said Steve Kenner, global director of the Ford Automotive Safety Office in the company press release.
Electric safety and security features include Advance Trac with electronic stability control, front seat side airbags, side-curtain airbags, and LATCH which stands for lower anchors and tether anchors for children.
The driver's side airbag uses a reconfigured curve-shaped tether system that reportedly pulls in the lower section to create a "pocket" to help ease the impact of the airbag on the driver's ribs and chest during crashes according to Ford.
The news comes the same week Ford announced approximately 900 dealerships will soon be allowed to sell plug0in electric vehicles, including the Focus Electric. The increase is thanks to a high demand for EV models, as Ford is only behind Toyota for electrified vehicle sales in the U.S.
Ford's launch of the new C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid, C-Max Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid last year helped the company deliver record -setting hybrid sales in 2012.
Certification means that dealerships have met the automaker's guidelines for dealers selling electric vehicles.
"Research indicates that 60 percent of new vehicle shoppers are considering hybrid products. With this demand for more fuel efficient vehicles, early sales of Ford's five electrified vehicles has been phenomenal, creating a tremendous amount of excitement among our dealers," said C.J. O'Donnell, Ford Electrified Vehicle Marketing manager in a company press release.
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