Even with all the incredible safety technology found in today’s Ford products, there’s just no avoiding the fact that sometimes drivers can’t avoid incurring damage to their vehicles. So it’s nice to know that, according the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), cars, trucks and SUVs from the Ford Motor Company are the most affordable vehicles to repair in their respective segments.
NHTSA recently looked at insurance claims costs for vehicles from the 2007-2009 model years, and all of the following ten Ford products topped their segments in terms of low repair bills:
• Ford Focus – Small Cars (four-door)
• Ford Taurus – Large Cars (four-door)
• Ford F-150 – Large Pickups (two-door)
• Ford F-150 Super Cab 4WD – Large Pickups (two-door-plus)
• Ford F-250 4WD – Very Large Pickups (two-door)
• Ford F-250 Super Cab – Very Large Pickups (two-door-plus)
• Ford E-350 Econoline wagon – Cargo/Passenger Vans (tied with Chevrolet Express 3500)
• Mercury Grand Marquis – Very Large Cars (four-door)
• Mercury Mariner 4WD – Small SUV
• Lincoln Town Car – Very Large Luxury Cars
In addition, NHTSA rated almost 80 percent of all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles at or above the industry average for repair costs.
To put this all in context, the 10 Blue Oval segment leaders represent more than three times the number of winners from Toyota and Honda combined, while only 40 percent of Toyota products (including those from Lexus and Scion) were rated at or above the industry average.
Not only does this mean consumers are paying less when they have to have their Fords fixed, but they’re also paying lower insurance rates in the first place. That’s because insurers often take into account repair costs when setting their premiums.
A key factor in helping achieve these results is Ford’s Paint and Body Technology Center. Opened in 2009, the facility brings together Ford repair/safety experts, auto repair technicians and insurance company representatives specifically to develop ways of keeping repair costs in check.
“Vehicle affordability continues to be the most important purchase consideration for car and truck buyers, rivaled only by fuel economy,” said Frederiek Toney, vice president, Ford Customer Service Division. “We design our vehicles to be easier and more affordable to repair because we know this saves our customers money in insurance premiums and repair costs over the long term.”
* * *
As always find the latest Ford news right here. Subscribe for updates.
You must log in to post a comment.