EG7010 Engineering Design

EG7010 Engineering Design
Question
Answered

Task:
Ford Pinto is a subcompact car manufactured by Ford motor company, North America and was introduced in September 11, 1970 by then vice president Lee Lacocca.
Ford Pinto was launched to compete with German and Japanese cars.
• It was manufactured in 4 body styles:
• 2 door sedan,
• 2 door sedan delivery,
• 2 door station wagon and
• 3 door hatchback.
• It weighed 2000 pounds with cost of $2000.
General Overview
• Ford Pinto was a “pony car” (style trended in the mid of sixties)
• The critics argued that car lacks a rear end bumper and any reinforcing Structure between the rear panel and the tank
• During rear end collisions the tank thrusts forward which would cause bolts to stick out and eventually tanks breaks
• Due to improper reinforcing the doors would jam during collision meaning the person inside couldn’t get out
• Ford knew this yet ignored to r During rear end collisions the tank thrusts forward which would cause bolts to stick out and eventually tanks breaks
• Reduce the redesign cost.
• On September 11, 1970, Ford announced its focus under the slogan “The Little Carefree Car.”
• This was first domestic Ford passenger car with a 4-cylinder engine
• its main target is to providing reasonable comfort and performance to match
• pocket friendly budget. For this reason, the car is in great demand.
• The Ford Pinto is assembled at plants in San Jose, California, and Metuchen,
• New Jersey, as well as at Ford of Canada’s new plant in St. Thomas, Ontario
• In 1976, a modified Ford Pinto increased production to a total of 290,132 (a nearly 30 percent increase).
• The production schedule was tight to meet the demand on time.
• The first Ford Pinto was introduced on February 25, 1972.
• In its first year, 288,606 sedans and 63,796 Runabouts were produced, making it one of the best freshman launches in history
• In 1971 design, the Ford motor company placed the fuel tank behind the rear axle.
• The tank blasted during the crash test when hit from the rear even at low speeds at 30MPH
• Fuel Tank was located behind the rear axle, instead of above it. This made Pinto more vulnerable to rear end collisions.
• The gas tank and the rear axle were separated by only nine inches.
• Bolts were positioned dangerously close to the gastank.
• Design of the fuel filler pipe indicates that it will disconnect from the tank in case of collision, causing gas leakage and fire.