Ford Inflatable Seat Belts Mystery Supplier Uncovered - No it's not Volvo
Small Michigan supplier Key Safety Systems shares patents on the technology with Ford
By Alex Ricciuti
November 11, 2009 10:07 PM
Filed Under: American
The supplier for Ford's new inflatable seatbelt technology has been revealed by Automotive News to be Key Safety Systems, a relatively small automotive supplier based in the state of Michigan.
When Ford first introduced the technology in an announcement last week, it did not name any suppliers involved in the development.
The technology Ford has developed is a cold-gas inflated airbag which is made part of the seatbelt. The inflatable belt allows impact force to be spread more widely around the body, by 5 times as much as a conventional belt, reducing the chances of head, neck and chest injuries. The technology will be used for rear seat passengers who are often the most vulnerable to those types of injuries, such as children or the elderly.
Ford will be introducing the inflatable belts in the next-generation Explorer model. The SUV will be given a new unibody chassis this time, as opposed to the body-on-frame chassis it had always been based on.
According to a ranking by Automotive News of the top 150 North American suppliers, Key Safety Systems comes in only at 104, with sales revenue from the auto industry of $363 million for 2008.
Ford and Key Safety Systems together are the patent holders on the technology. According to Paul Mascarenas, a Ford vice president in charge of engineering and global development, Ford hopes to keep the technology exclusive to its brands for at least a few years before other automakers begin to copy it.
Comments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ut5T26sd8o
this vid also shows some other cool new safety stuff they're working with!
Edited by user on November 12, 2009 at 3:29 AM
Add Comment
- Lamborghini Gallardo Twin Turbo with 1500hp by Underground Racing [Video]
- Volkswagen Tiguan Facelift Unveiled at Guangzhou Auto Show
- Bufori BMS R1 World Debut at Macau GT Cup
- 2011 BMW 5-Series F10 Sedan Revealed [Video]
- Mercedes C-Class Wagon by Piecha Design
- Porsche Announces New Lightweight Lithium-Ion Starter Battery Option
- Vorsteiner BR9 Edition for Bentley Continental GT
- Mercedes Honours 75 Years of Race Car Carriers
Latest F1 News
Schumacher speculation races ahead on Monday
Nov 24, 09 12:57 AM
Mercedes names Nico Rosberg as 2010 driver
Nov 23, 09 5:00 PM
No new F1 career for Schu - Brawn
Nov 23, 09 4:00 PM
Donington administrators welcome Ecclestone comments
Nov 23, 09 3:04 PM
Sauber's Qadbak takeover to collapse - report
Nov 23, 09 3:02 PM
F1 journalist to reprise naked jog
Nov 23, 09 2:59 PM
Le Mans on hold as Klien eyes F1 return
Nov 23, 09 2:53 PM
Merc GP structure not a recipe for tension - Haug
Nov 23, 09 2:49 PM
No Bulgarian GP, FIA's Todt insists
Nov 23, 09 2:45 PM
Argentine signs conditional USF1 race deal
Nov 21, 09 1:33 PM













