In addition to offering 10 segment-leading 2009 model year vehicles, Ford offers good insurance cost repair ratings for many of its vehicles: 78 percent of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models are rated at or better than the industry average, as shown in a report issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
In 2009, Ford opened a Paint and Body Technology Center to combine the experience of its repair & safety experts, auto repair technicians and insurance companies, in order to develop design solutions and repair procedures that lower repair costs.
"If your vehicle costs less to repair, it generally costs less to insure," said Gerry Bonanni, Ford damageability collision repair senior engineer. "We're working harder to help reduce insurers' repair costs by developing more affordable repairs earlier in a vehicle's development."
One of the innovative products developed by the facility is the set of bumpers for the Ford Focus, which allowed the cat to claim the top ranking in the four-door small vehicle segment.
In addition to that, Ford has seen its vehicle resale value reach a high level, as vehicles produced by the company outpaced the industry’s average resale values by 23 percent, as shown by the latest National Automobile Dealers Association auction data. The gains were achieved thanks to the increasing demand for new Ford cars, as well as improved quality and durability ratings.
"Vehicle affordability continues to be the most important purchase consideration for car and truck buyers, rivaled only by fuel economy," explained 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."
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