When the all-new Ford Edge arrives in dealerships later this year, it will offer the freshest choice to consumers in the hot crossover market and come loaded with an impressive array of standard safety features, including Ford’s exclusive AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ system, seat-mounted side air bags and Safety Canopy™ air curtain system with rollover detection.

This suite of safety innovations will complement Ford’s Personal Safety System™, also standard on the Edge, which includes dual-stage driver and front-passenger air bags, a driver-seat position sensor, and front-passenger-seat occupant classification sensor and load-limiting safety belt retractors and pretensioners. In addition, the Edge features an energy-absorbing steering wheel and knee bolster for the driver and an energy-absorbing glove box for the passenger.

Industry data indicate safety remains a top priority among potential buyers. In fact, 88 percent of all new-vehicle buyers say safety content plays an important role in purchase decisions. A vehicle’s safety content ranks third among customers’ top purchase reasons, preceded only by quality/reliability and price/value.

Ford recently announced that 2007 models of the Ford Fusion and the Mercury Milan will offer side air bags and air curtains as standard equipment beginning this summer, further underscoring the company’s commitment to safety.

“These changes are sure signs that Ford is on offense and fighting back,” says Cisco Codina, group vice president, North America Marketing, Sales and Service. “In fact, our product actions and the ‘Bold Moves’ marketing platform for the Ford brand are the clearest evidence yet that it’s not business as usual at Ford anymore.”

With its unique combination of styling, capability and driving dynamics, the Edge is the perfect complement to Ford’s expanding crossover utility vehicle lineup. Equipped with an all-new 265-horsepower, 3.5-liter, V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission, the new Ford Edge will deliver performance, quietness and fuel efficiency. The Edge also offers several customer-friendly features, such as an MP3-player audio input jack, center-console laptop storage, class-exclusive panoramic Vista Roof™ and a fold-flat front-passenger Seat for added flexibility.