Ford Mondeo deemed allergy free
For anybody that suffers with environmental allergies, spring and summer can be brutal. Dust mites and pollen can wreak havoc on sinus cavities, ears, and eyes whether inside or outside your car. Many automakers have taken precautions to help minimize the pain of allergy sufferers, and Ford seems to have gotten the formula down... at least in Europe.
The soon to be available for purchase Ford Mondeo has received the coveted "Allergy-tested seal of approval" from the German TÜV Rhineland group. The vehicle earned this honor as the result of eliminating materials like chrome and nickel from the cockpit, using low-emission adhesives, and allergen-tested textiles and leathers. The Mondeo also has a high-tech pollen filter that eliminates pollen from the air. Ford's newest example of Kinetic design joins the Focus, Ka, S-MAX and Galaxy as the only vehicles on earth to earn TÜV allergy certification.
For whatever reason, Ford's Euro-lineup always seems to be better-looking and more richly-appointed than what we can get here in the States, and we're often left wanting. Now even those with allergies are left with something to sneeze at. We know, that was bad. The press release is available after the jump.
[Source: Ford media site]
Gallery: 2008 Ford Mondeo
NEW FORD MONDEO AWARDED "ALLERGY TESTED INTERIOR" SEAL OF APPROVAL
Award confirms Ford's high quality standards and maintains Ford's leading market position of allergy friendly interiors
COLOGNE, 21 May 2007 – Customers considering buying an all-new Ford Mondeo, the most technologically advanced car ever launched by Ford in Europe, now have one more reason to make it their vehicle of choice. The new Ford Mondeo has been awarded the German TÜV Rhineland group's "Allergy Tested Interior" seal of approval.
Together with the Ford Ka, Focus, S-MAX and Galaxy, Ford of Europe now offers five vehicles t o the increasing number of consumers looking for allergy-friendly products. Ford vehicles are the first in the world that have passed the stringent TÜV standards. The new Mondeo goes on sale in Europe later this month.
"We are very proud to receive this TÜV approval and consider it confirmation from a highly-respected organization of the high quality standards of our vehicles," said Dr Wolfgang Schneider, vice president, governmental and environmental affairs, Ford of Europe.
"W e regard it as our responsibility to offer our customers products that address the growing concerns about allergies. That's why we aim to get as many as possible of our existing - and future - models certified to TÜV standards," he added.
The TÜV certification assures that the car's interior materials were selected in order to minimise the allergy risk to the lowest possible level. The TÜV is an independent, authoritative German testing and assessment organisation that controls and certifies quality standards for industrial and consumer products.
An extensive series of scientifically verifiable tests was carried out on the new Mondeo, as on the other Ford models tested earlier, in accordance with strict TÜV examination procedures. More than 100 materials and components were tested for harmful substances and allergy causing potential.
In addition, all components likely to have direct and prolonged skin contact such as the steering wheel and seat covers, floor mats and seat belts were dermatologically tested.
To achieve certification standards, Ford development engineers working on the interior specification of the new Mondeo decided to avoid using materials such as latex, chrome and nickel that can provoke allergic reactions in some people.
Additionally, the vehicles are equipped with a high-performance pollen filter, which was also tested by the TÜV. The filter effectively prevents pollen – a particular concern for allergy sufferers – from entering the vehicle's interior.
The measurement and assessment criteria are published on the Internet (www.tuv.com; ID number: 0000021252).
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
bmoredlj 7:08PM (5/22/2007)
Recent Fusion buyers....despair.
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Robz4 7:11PM (5/22/2007)
This is a very nice looking car with great driving dynamics.I think Ford would be in a lot less trouble is they brought the Mondeo and the european Focus to our shores.Just hoping.
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bmoredlj 7:22PM (5/22/2007)
Why stop at the Mondeo and European Focus? There's a whole RANGE of up-to-date, stylish, appealing vehicles Ford could bring over:
the Fiesta (to fight the Aveo and Accent);
the UK Fusion and C-Max (capable CR-V competitors);
the S-Max (a large minivan/CUV)
the Tourneo and Transit (to do battle with Dodge's Sprinter), and the Brits even get a new Ranger...imagine! Ford offering a better small pickup in the UK than in the USA!!!
Unlike GM, the failure to bring these products over yesterday exhibits an apparent unwillingness to streamline American and European product lines. Right now, the US is getting the short end of the stick by far, and until Ford sharpens up and starts treating the Domestic market with respect, they'll continue to lose money and market share.
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Viv 7:24PM (5/22/2007)
I am a hardcore GM guy yet i would buy the Mondeo in a heartbeat. What an awesome looking car. FoMoCo really is stupid. Bring it to this side of the Atlantic pronto.
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3cubedminus3squared 7:29PM (5/22/2007)
Mexico gets both the U.S. and European line ups [they're so lucky]. Every time I go there to visit relatives I see a lot of good looking vehicles that would do really well here. Its too bad we don't though.
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David 7:34PM (5/22/2007)
Call it a Mercury, hell call it a Lincoln and get rid of whichever Fusion clone you want; just bring it!!
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Aprime 7:34PM (5/22/2007)
Buy in Mexico, then.
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wally 7:47PM (5/22/2007)
FORD USA SUCKS!!!!!!!!
Bring this to stateside> SAVE THE WORLD of Ford!
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Greek Boy 9:08PM (5/22/2007)
I recall the Contour had a pollen filter. Is that continued here in any car.
Oh, and the Fusion is a better car all around than the Mondeo and costs less too.
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Larry Fine 9:55PM (5/22/2007)
Ford,
The only allergy pertaining to the Ford Mondeo that you should be concerned with is the Mondeo's avoidance to North America. Do you assume that the typical American Ford consumer does not have the same level of requirements? e.g. water down the existing Mazda 6, into the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Lincoln Zephyr (the bland triplets) Does anybody really buy into the Merc is more upscale than Ford, and well you are doing fine if you have a Lincoln.
Give me a break the Mondeo has according to European web sites what the Mazda 6 has here, sporty drivetrain (read: manual does not get stuck with the lowly base engine).
Marketing Decision 101: Struggle with existing customer base or expand?
Hmmm... Why do Americans look to Acuras, Infinitis, and Hondas and Subaru Turbos for that matter... The Ford products are there, just not here. Bring them here along with the hi-perfomance Focis...
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Bryan 10:20PM (5/22/2007)
Larry what on earth are you talking about? The triplets are very stylish and selling well month after month. You mean to tell me a camry or accord looks better? Uhm no. Do some research, it will make you look less ignorant next post. Oh and the triplets are hardly watered down. And people call American auto buyers rednecks and ignorant..ha!
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Dean 11:49PM (5/22/2007)
Yes, the Fusion/Milan/MKZ line is selling well for Ford, but seriously - these cars just do not seem to have the level of quality that the others have. Also, in terms of styling, the proportions are all wrong and it is very clear that these cars will not age well. Anyways, the problem with Ford is the fact that there are way too many platforms. Seriously, most all of your import brands have global platforms and even GM is trying to globalize platforms. An early example of this is the Daewoo Lacetti/Chevrolet Optima/Suzuki Forenza/Buick Excelle compact line. Yes, granted these cars leave a lot to be desired (and I do mean A LOT), but the Forenza has been Suzuki's best selling car and so has the Lacetti for Daewoo. Today, GM is bringing its Euro gems via Saturn. What Ford should have done was allow the old Taurus to live on just a bit longer with some more mild refreshening and replace the car with this new Mondeo. This new car would have not only brought Ford to the spotlight, but also would provide a better and more premium feeling car than the Asian competition. Also, think of all the money that would have been saved by just producing 1 new car rather than 2! Being Ford's domestic market, we should be reserved its best products, and Ford will not realize this until enough of the American public requests this beautiful car.
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iQuack 3:32AM (5/23/2007)
What if you're allergic to Fords?
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gavin 6:58PM (5/24/2007)
luckily australia will get the mondeo...and next year the orion falcon.
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amp 8:08AM (5/23/2007)
If you look closer at the picture, it even took care of my worst allergy, automatics.
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Heydn 7:22PM (5/23/2007)
I remember some friends bought a brand-new SVT Contour a few years back. They invited me to sit in it and the smell was so unpleasant to me that I got a headache...
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E. S. Romero 8:35PM (5/23/2007)
Viv, bmoredlj, amp, Larry, Dean,
Agreed...
Bryan,
Have you ever came across in your research the fact that Rental car companies and Fleet car companies and governments buy MANY of these vehicles (Fusion and Milan) because they can by them at deep discount, versus more desirable Accords (Car and Driver’s Top 10 for 12 years) and other vehicles that don’t need to go that route. This grossly inflates a vehicles popularity.
Consider the Mercury Milan commercial, where the spokeswoman tells viewers “You should consider a Milan”. If you have tell somebody what to consider, then the product isn’t selling itself on its own merits.
Rather than bashing people that YOU believe are ignorant, you should try to not to be so defensive for your cause, that you lose objectivity.
-Edward
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E. S. Romero 9:31PM (5/23/2007)
Oops... I meant to say 21 years instead of 12 for the Accord being in C&D Top 10 (21 of 25 years).
-Edward
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