DEARBORN, MI - The all-new 2012 Ford Focus will introduce new airbag technologies that enhance protection for front seat occupants in the most common frontal and side crashes, Ford Motor Co. said. 

The suite of new innovations includes Ford's next-generation driver-front airbag with improved chest-protection technology. The new airbag uses a reconfigured curve-shaped tether system that pulls in the lower section to create a "pocket" to help lessen the impact of the airbag on the driver's chest and ribs in frontal crashes. 

Ford's side airbags feature shoulder vents that stay open and reduce pressure for smaller occupants who typically benefit from reduced forces. Taller occupants whose shoulders block the vent could benefit from the higher pressures, Ford said. 

The Focus also will be Ford's first car ever to feature front passenger airbags with adaptive venting technology that diverts some of the gas from the airbag inflators through vents outside of the airbags. The restraints control module -- the control center of Ford's advanced safety systems -- adjusts the level of venting based on seat position. 

The new passenger airbag is designed to help enhance head and neck protection by better matching deployment force with occupant size. This system uses a small pyrotechnic device to force open the vent and can provide less pressure in the airbag when it's sufficient to help protect the occupant. 

"This is our most advanced airbag system ever in a Ford car, and is designed to enhance protection for front occupants in the most common types of crashes," said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president of sustainability, environment and safety engineering. "Each of these airbags uses innovative technologies to help customize airbag protection to the occupant." 

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The new airbag technologies debut as standard equipment on the all-new 2012 Ford Focus, which goes on sale early next year in North America. They will be rolled out to other Ford vehicles in the next few years.  

Ford's new driver-side airbag was designed to enhance chest and rib protection based in part on Ford's biomechanical research. In particular, Ford found this type of enhanced chest protection technology would be especially helpful in more serious crashes. 

"While seat belts and airbags provide proven protection for drivers of all ages, elderly drivers remain at higher risk of injury than younger drivers due to the nature of collision forces," said Frank Heitplatz, Ford supervisor of occupant safety integration. "Decades of biomechanical research at Ford continue to spur refinement of the safety technologies in our vehicles to further reduce the risks of severe injuries." 

In addition to the new airbags, the new Focus's vehicle structure provides enhanced crash protection as well as improved vehicle dynamics. 

High-strength steels comprise 55 percent of the Focus's body shell, and ultra-high-strength and boron steels make up more than 31 percent of its skeletal structure. These advanced materials help the structure meet crash regulations across world markets, while minimizing the vehicle's weight to help maximize fuel economy, Ford said. 

"High-strength steels were key to delivering the lighter weight and higher strength we needed for structural efficiency," said Shawn Morgans, Ford technical leader in body engineering. "We believe the materials used on the new Focus are setting a new benchmark in the small car segment."