Ford unveiled a comprehensive suite of safety technologies it plans to roll out throughout its entire fleet of SUVs beginning in the 2002 model year. The safety technologies, announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, include:

• Alert SUV Drivers To Low Tire Pressure: This sensor-based low pressure warning system will alert drivers if a tire becomes under-inflated or significantly over-inflated.
• Provide Increased Accident Avoidance Capabilities: Ford will apply new technology and improved brake system designs to significantly shorten the stopping distances of all Ford SUVs.
• Enhanced Crash Protection: The Personal Safety System, which "thinks" about and responds to different accident conditions by deploying the vehicle's occupant protection systems to match those conditions.
• Help SUVs Avoid Potential Rollovers as Well as Offer Increased Protection in a Rollover: The electronic rollover sensors measure how fast the vehicle's lean angle is changing to determine whether the vehicle is headed for a rollover and if so, deploys the side curtain air bags to help protect passengers and help keep them inside until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
• AdvanceTrac Electronic Stability Technology: AdvanceTrac -- a computer-driven interactive vehicle dynamics system -- will be offered on 2002 Explorer later this year. This advanced technology enhances stability in extreme driving situations when drivers may have misjudged speed or road conditions.
• Help Address Crash Compatibility Issues With Smaller Vehicles: The Explorer engineering team has made the 2002 Explorer more crash compatible with passenger cars by lowering its bumper beam height by more than 2 inches -- roughly the same height as a Taurus bumper.