DEARBORN, Mich. (WXYZ) - Ford is putting next generation seat belts/air bags into the 2011 Ford Explorer.
The devices have a specially designed air bag inside the seat belt. It is designed to restrain passengers in the back seat in the event of a crash. Ford has been working on the project for the last 10 years.
The air bags deploy across the chest and torso, spreading any impact across a wider area. They also inflate slower than traditional air bags. Ford hopes the new devices will increase the percentage of people in the back seat wearing seat belts.
The belts will initially available as an option only in the next generation Explorer, but Ford says they will eventually be available on their global vehicle fleet. The company is not saying how much the new option will cost, only commenting that they will keep them affordable.
