Ford Models to Have Rear View Camera by 2012

In response to the recent rear view camera for vehicles plan, rolled out by the US Department of Transportation (DoT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), American manufacturer Ford announced that all models, be it badged as Ford or Lincoln, would be equipped with the Rear View Camera System.

Ford will equip almost the entire lineup (full-size pickups, vans and crossovers) with the system by the end of 2011.

“Ford is making new innovations such as the Rear View Camera System available to a wide range of customers in most of our vehicles to help them see better when reversing,” said Jim Buczkowski, director of electrical and electronics systems engineering at Ford.

“Our research shows that visibility is one of the biggest customer concerns today, which is why we are the only company to offer a Rear View Camera System, Blind Spot Mirrors and the radar-based Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic system.”

According to the plan released by the NHTSA, all vehicles with a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less on US roads will have to be equipped with such a system, in three stages: 10 percent of the national fleet by September 2012, 40 percent by September 2013 and 100 percent by September 2014.

"The steps we are taking today will help reduce back-over fatalities and injuries not only to children, but to the elderly, and other pedestrians. And while these changes will make a difference, drivers must remember that no technology can, or should, replace full attention and vigilance when backing up. Always know where your children are before you start your car and make sure you check that there is no one behind you before you back up," said in a statement David Strickland, NHTSA administrator.