* Ford's commitment to deliver safe, sustainable and high quality products underlined by Allergy Tested Interior approval from Germany's TÜV
* Over 100 materials and components tested on their potential for contact allergies
* High level of interior air quality reduces allergens in breathable air
* Eight separate Ford models now certified with the TÜV Allergy Label

Cologne, 15 June 2010 – In 2004, the first Ford passenger car – the Ford C-MAX – was awarded the "Allergy Tested Interior" seal of approval by world-renowned independent test house, TÜV Rheinland, based in Cologne, Germany.

Currently, eight of the latest Ford models have been certified, and a total of 4.2 million Ford cars with the TÜV seal of approval have been sold across Europe. Ford is the only car manufacturer globally to carry and meet the official TÜV allergy-tested interior certification. Extensive and scientifically verifiable tests for harmful substances and allergy-causing agents are conducted as part of the assessment process. This detailed procedure includes the analysis of more than 100 materials and components.

As part of its allergy-friendly vehicle interior development, Ford engineers avoid or reduce to the absolute minimum the use of materials such as latex, chrome and nickel that can provoke allergic reactions in some people. All components likely to have direct and prolonged skin contact, such as the steering wheel, seat covers and seat belts, are also dermatologically-tested. Ford vehicles are also equipped with high-performance pollen filters that prevent allergic pollens from entering the interior, and which ensure a high quality level of cabin air.

The eight Ford models now certified by TÜV are the latest Fiesta, the Fusion, Focus (including Coupe-Cabriolet), C-MAX, Kuga, Mondeo, S‑MAX and Galaxy.

For the new 2010 S-MAX and Galaxy models just launching in Europe, the testing and certification process is now underway. All future Ford models will be certified as well.

“This certification is another significant contribution to the sustainability story behind our products and reflects the attention to detail and quality built in to all the latest Ford vehicles,” said Dr Wolfgang Schneider, Ford of Europe Vice President, for Legal, Governmental and Environmental Affairs.

“We know such credentials are important to our customers – especially given the increasing occurrence of allergic conditions among people in Europe – and we will continue to develop our vehicles to these high quality standards of allergen control.”

The TÜV is a world-renowned independent, authoritative German testing and assessment organisation that controls and certifies quality standards for industrial and consumer products. TÜV certification assures a vehicle’s interior materials are selected in order to minimise the allergy risk to the lowest possible level. The TÜV measurement and assessment results for all Ford cars are published online at www.tuv.com.

In February 2008, the Berlin-based European Center for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF, www.ecarf.org), also awarded Ford with its quality certificate as an additional recognition for the company’s "allergy-tested interior" initiative.

Managing Materials – A Ford Priority
Ford has a long tradition in material and substance management. For more than 20 years, Ford's Restricted Substance Management Standard has spelled out what materials to be avoided or eliminated in Ford products, services and processes and in the parts and materials provided by suppliers.

To manage materials across the vehicle life-cycle, Ford has developed a comprehensive set of processes and system tools called Global Materials Management. These processes and tools assist Ford in communicating materials requirements to suppliers, and in tracking the materials they use in the parts they manufacture.

In addition, Ford has implemented stringent internal requirements to increase the use of sustainable materials within its products. This includes increasing the use of recycled, renewable, and lightweight materials. Recycled materials incorporate post-consumer and/or post-industrial waste materials. Renewable materials are made from plant-based materials, where sustainable sourcing as well as the technical performance of the materials are key parameters for their use.

In 2002 Ford of Europe decided to enlarge its extensive material activities to a wider customer focus. Together with experts from the TÜV Rheinland, potential relevant parameters and test procedures have been reassessed to address harmful substances or materials with an allergy-causing potential. This was developed further into today's TÜV Rheinland Allergy Label certification process.

Parts of the certification process are:
* Evaluation of the material management with basic requirements on the used materials.
* Limits for potentially harmful substances, especially for materials with direct skin contact.
* Dermatological tests with a specimen of the relevant materials.
* Emission limits for materials and components.
* Interior air quality parameters
* Requirements on the pollen filter performance.

To build upon the success of the Allergy Label in Europe and to maximize the effectiveness and implementation of material improvements, Ford has established a global Product Action Team with experts from many areas focused on vehicle interior air quality and allergen reduction.

Consistent with the company's ONE Ford global strategy, the Product Action Team is committed to investigating and developing comprehensive global approaches and strategies to address issues relating to vehicle interior air quality. Ford plans to implement comparable high-efficiency filtration specifications across most of its products in the US in the future. These filters are designed to reduce pollen and other allergy-related particles.

Ford Product Sustainability Index
Material management, including the TÜV Allergy Label, is part of Ford of Europe's ground-breaking Product Sustainability Index (PSI).

The PSI is the automotive industry's most comprehensive approach yet in assessing how the environmental, social and economic impact of vehicles can be addressed. It demonstrates how committed and serious Ford is in taking a leading role to tackle these issues.

Aside from the use of sustainable materials (recycled and renewable materials) and substance management (including TÜV allergy-tested interior certification), Ford's PSI tracks six further product attributes identified as key sustainability elements of a vehicle. These are:

* Life cycle global warming potential (mainly carbon dioxide emissions).
* Life cycle air quality potential (other air emissions).
* Exterior noise impact (drive-by noise).
* Safety (for occupants and pedestrians)
* Mobility capability (seat and luggage capacity relative to vehicle size).
* Life cycle ownership costs (full costs for the customer over the first three years).

These metrics mirror the multi-dimensional nature of sustainability and Ford's holistic approach. The PSI provides a basis for permanent evaluation and improved sustainability performance for new generations of vehicles.