Ford's New Multi-Contour Seat with Active Motion™

• Ford’s industry-exclusive Multi-Contour Seats with Active Motion™ offer seven air cushions to provide a subtle massage that can reduce muscle tension by up to 60 percent
• In a recent study, 4 out of 5 people in a California test group preferred the Multi-Contour Seat over the standard seat, while 20 percent said they would consider changing their vehicle brand in order to drive/own a product with this technology
• Multi-Contour Seats with Active Motion will be available in the 2010 Taurus and Taurus SHO, available in dealerships this summer

FACT SHEET: Multi-Contour, Maximum Comfort

ASHEVILLE, N.C., June 15, 2009 – Ford Motor Company’s new seat technology will give drivers a massage for their aching backs, providing a refreshing and comfortable driving experience.

Working with input from back pain specialists and orthopedic surgeons, Ford researchers and engineers have taken seat comfort and driver relaxation to a superior level. Ford’s Multi-Contour Seats with Active Motion™, an industry-exclusive feature debuting on the 2010 Taurus and Taurus SHO, could help prevent back pain.

According to the Mayo Clinic researchers, back pain ranks second only to headaches as the most frequent cause of pain. Some of this discomfort is caused by Americans spending more time than ever in vehicles, as 50 percent of drivers report having lower back pain. According to a University of California study, the average driver spends 101 minutes per day on the road.

“Multi-Contour seats will be a real benefit for long distance drivers, or people with back trouble,” said Steve Michell, Ford product design engineer. “This seat is above the rest in North America – nobody else offers anything like it.”

Ford’s Multi-Contour seat contains air cushions that pad the driver and passenger’s entire back, including three for lumbar support and four for the seat pad. The bottom cushion features Active Motion technology, which provides both front seats with a soft, continuous massage. Both elements are fully programmable in order to accommodate various shapes and sizes.

The seat provides more comfort, while helping keep drivers more alert and safe. Active Motion massage provides minute movement and encourages blood flow, which helps prevent driver fatigue. Driver fatigue can occur when muscles become tired from remaining stationary for long periods of time. However, Multi-Contour Seats with Active Motion provides an average tension relief of 60 percent, allowing the driver to remain relaxed, even after an extended journey.

“The seat was tested for comfort on long drives,” said Jeroen Lem, a research engineer for Ford. “After a four-hour non-stop trip, the driver was able to exit the car feeling relaxed and without pain. This product keeps you moving so that you can drive longer.”

These seats have consumers buzzing. In a recent study, four out of five people in a California test group preferred the Multi-Contour seat over the standard seat, while 20 percent said they would consider changing their vehicle brand in order to drive/own a product with this technology.

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 205,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.