Ford Motor Company thumbs its nose at the current administration by releasing images that show it torturing vehicles with water cannons and shopping carts.
Graphic images of metal whips and shopping carts
Here at LotPro.com, we recently received some disturbing images from Ford Motor Company regarding the treatment of some of its vehicles supposedly in the name of “engineering and safety research.” Not only were the photos released in an openly brazen manner, the company had the temerity to include an “explanation” that accompanied them.
the "shopping cart"
Here is the release:
DEARBORN, Mich., May, 2009 – Ford Motor Company has ushered in new, extreme tests – such as ramming shopping carts into car doors and blasting water cannons to force vehicles into skids – to fine tune new, industry-leading safety technologies for its mainstream vehicles.
These tests are part of Ford’s ongoing efforts to accelerate new collision protection and avoidance technologies. Ford’s safety leadership is built on having more Insurance Institute-rated “Top Safety Pick” vehicles than any other automaker and the most U.S. government 5-star test ratings of any brand.
the "thrown ball" torture
“These novel tests may seem over the top, but they’re part of a serious testing regimen that Ford had to invent, because increasingly sophisticated technologies require more advanced testing,” said Sue Cischke, group vice president, Ford Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “We will continue to build on our safety leadership with advanced safety technologies that help enhance crash protection or even help customers avoid accidents.”
A likely story, indeed.
Not just waterboarding but a water cannon
Tortures listed
The company openly admits its complicity by actually listing the torture methods, which include:
• “A lab robot repeatedly pushes a shopping cart loaded with a 110-pound weight into the vehicle doors at 10 miles per hour.”
• “Another robotic test replicates the impact of a bicycle wheel on the car door.”
• “…research on a test track rife with jarring, jolting surface imperfections, ranging from potholes and chatter bumps to curbs and ditches.”
• “Certified test drivers are encouraged to push vehicles to the limit.”
• “safety engineers also have concocted a clever test method using a multi-tailed, lead-tipped steel whip. They use it to repeatedly ‘pepper’ the underbody area…”
• “engineers mount an air-powered cannon – a tool commonly used in mining operations and pumpkin-throwing contests – in the rear compartment of a test vehicle. The cannon blasts water outward, causing a recoil impulse that forces the vehicle into a skid.”
the "balloon test"
A security threat
Here at LotPro.com, we are aware of Ford’s shameless “vehicle security” actions. Gentlemen, we will be watching you closely from now on.
the infamous "bike wheel"
