Hi all

Found this is my local paper today.

Miami: A jury has ordered Ford to pay more than $A83million to the family of a 17 year old boy killed in a rollover when his freind fell asleep driving a Ford Explorer.

The jury said Ford was LIABLE because it sold a vehicle with poor handling and stability. The company plans to appeal.

I feel sorry for the poor kid but shouldn't the driver of the vehicle be liable instead of FORD.

Love your comments.

Cheers

Cowie

Only in America...

  Only in America...

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Only in the States.

America is a pretty big place (two continents and all).

I would have thought the doctrine of "contributory negligence" would have to hold some weight here LOL

Bunch of f*wits!

It's sh*t like that, that's going to soak up would-be design dollars, and keep Ford producing the bloody Taurus for the American market. Or is that just stubborness?

I mean, you look at our tough domestic Fords for the average man compared to theirs

but I digress...

Bunch of f*wits! 

It's sh*t like that, that's going to soak up would-be design dollars, and keep Ford producing the bloody Taurus for the American market. Or is that just stubborness? 

I mean, you look at our tough domestic Fords for the average man compared to theirs 

but I digress...

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I suspect that there were a few reasons that the Taurus flopped here.

First, the market was already flooded with full sized sedans.

Second, Australians love RWD even in their city driven full sized sedans

I remember reading somewhere Explorers in the States were spec'd with wrong or faulty tyres which made them very easy to tip over, I'm not sure if they blew tyres or what, but that may be why Ford are liable.

As for the Taurus, I was working at a Ford dealership when it was released, we only sold 1, and having driven it I can see why. Not only are they butt ugly, they have no character, very uninspiring. Being front wheel drive certainly didn't help either.

Cheers, Steve.

I remember reading somewhere Explorers in the States were spec'd with wrong or faulty tyres which made them very easy to tip over, I'm not sure if they blew tyres or what, but that may be why Ford are liable.

As for the Taurus, I was working at a Ford dealership when it was released, we only sold 1, and having driven it I can see why. Not only are they butt ugly, they have no character, very uninspiring. Being front wheel drive certainly didn't help either.

Cheers, Steve.

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I read that too. I think it was a few years ago and but does not explain why someone fell alseep at the wheel?? How can they blame FORD???

Cheers Cowie

Good point, it doesn't make much sense at all.

There was a huge lawsuit regarding Firestone Tyres that were fitted from the factory. They had a tendancy to spontaneously blowout their sidewalls. Cost ford hundreds of millions and pretty much ruined Firestone!