Ford says the new safety-testing lab near its Dearborn headquarters has one of the most advanced crash simulators in the world. The simulator consists of a vehicle interior set inside a rigid frame and attached to a fast-moving hydraulic sled. The simulator allows Ford to see what would happen to the interior of a vehicle in five different types of crashes--including frontal and side impact--without actually having to destroy an expensive prototype vehicle. The new safety lab facility is part of the company's current $65-million investment in advanced vehicle testing technology.

Other facets of the vehicle testing upgrades include a Volvo Arizona Proving Grounds. Ford relaunched its proving grounds in Whitman, AZ last year with a $10-million investment. New and advanced features include a 36-bay garage, 2.1-mile straightaway, steering and handling course, lane-change pad, 200-foot vehicle dynamics circle and mini-ride roads.

The Dearborn Proving Ground is also undergoing extensive renovation for an all-new track with advanced testing technology. Details will be announced at a later date; and some 8,000 Ford design engineers now have walkie-talkie style mobile phones and wireless laptop computers, increasing mobility between their office and test track, which are equipped with wireless Internet connectivity.