Boost America: Ford expects record-setting booster seat buy will jump start new safety trend for kids

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News of January 31, 2001

Boost America: Ford expects record-setting booster seat buy will jump start new safety trend for kids

DEARBORN, MI - Ford Motor Company and the United Way today committed to the largest order of child safety seats in history. Ford and the United Way will purchase half-a-million seats combined from Evenflo and Century-Graco as part of its Boost America! booster seat campaign. The half-million seats are part of Boost America!'s commitment to put one-million seats into use in the U.S. during a one-year period.

Ford Motor Company President and CEO, Jacques Nasser, said "We're determined to jump start what we expect will be a fast-moving national trend to make sure older children ride in the best available protection in the event of a crash-a booster seat."

Photo: Ford

The Evenflo Right Fit and Century Contour Sport models were selected for the United Way portion of the campaign because they offer child passengers a good combination of comfort and belt fit. The Century Contour Sport is not available in stores-it was created specifically for Boost America!. Both models position the vehicle's lap/shoulder belts to improve belt fit, low across the hips and thighs, and across the chest and shoulder, which helps to protect the child in a crash. The Right Fit is a backless booster designed for vehicles with a taller rear seat back that comes above the child's ears. The Contour Sport model has an integral high back to provide head protection in vehicles with shorter rear seat backs or without head restraints.

Nasser explained that Ford's desire to move quickly to increase the number of booster seats in use presented a formidable logistical challenge to the child seat manufacturers, pushing their production capacity to the limit.

Experts from the NHTSA and other leading safety and child welfare organizations agree that youngsters that have outgrown the age and weight recommendations for traditional child safety seats need a transitional "bridge" before using adult safety belts. Booster seats provide that transition. In addition to distributing booster seats, Ford Motor Company also is forming partnerships with states to run fitting clinics and to certify additional child passenger safety seat technicians so parents and caregivers understand how to install and use all safety seats correctly.

Key to Ford's effort will be its partnerships with respected and influential national organizations that will work in concert to change attitudes of parents and children alike about the need for booster seats.

(Jan. 29, 2001)

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