following: 1. Identify the relevant facts of the Ford Pinto case: In 1970 Ford introduced the Pinto, a small car that was intended to compete with the then current challenge from European cars and the ominous presence on the horizon of Japanese manufacturers. The Pinto was brought from inception to production in the record time of approximately 25 months, where a normal car usually takes 43 months. This showed an expedited time frame for the Pinto. On top of time pressure the team was also required
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designing phase to releasing to the market. Market seemed to be impressed by Ford, but it did not go last that long. Pinto had a critical problem that its fuel tank cannot withstand any rear-impact over 20mph speed. The fuel tank would rupture and cause fire. Moreover, Ford’s directors and their engineers already realized this issue and the potential number of people would die from fires due to Pinto’s defective design. There were remedies for Ford that they can either give up some trunk space or increase
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The Case of the Ford Pinto By James Abstract Product harm crisis can be defined as a sudden break in a product’s life cycle (Siomkos, G.J and Kurzbard. J. 1994). In 1971 the Ford Motor Company created a product harm crisis with the introduction of the Ford Pinto. The Ford Pinto is known to be one of the most dangerous vehicles ever produced in automotive history due to several serious design flaws. This paper will identify the factors that contributed to the product
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Appendix 2: Ford Pinto Case and Cost Benefit Analysis Edited by Richard Brooks In 1968 in response to strong foreign competition, Ford decided to build a subcompact car — the Pinto — on a 2×2×2 plan (2,000 pounds, $2,000, in 2 years). In pre-launch tests, Ford discovered that rear end collisions propelled the gas tank onto the real axle, which had protrusions that ruptured the tank and caused the car to catch fire. Yet Ford did Figure 1: Ford Pinto not modify the Pinto’s rear axle. Nor did it
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eternity into the world’s future. In 1972, Ford Motor Company released the Ford Pinto, a small cheap car that could financially compete with the new economic cars from Asia. The Ford Pinto got a lot of attention because it was the first American made car to rival the Asia automobiles. However, the Pinto had a design flaw in that the position of the fuel tank was poorly placed and as a result was highly susceptible to car fires. This flaw was recognized by ford but was deemed an economic step backwards
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The Ford Pinto Case The Ford Pinto Case was a very controversial moment in Ford’s history. They were struggling to keep up with the ever rising imports of Japanese auto manufacturers that were being produced and sold at a rate that was light years ahead of the industry. Ford had to come up with a solution and they had to do it fast. Their answer, the Ford Pinto, a car that was great on gas, easy to produce, and could be sold at an astonishingly low price. Ford’s answer to the car market demands
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The Ford Pinto Case Team B Management 216 May 10, 2011 Ian Finley The Ford Pinto Case The horrific tragedy that took place on August 10, 1978 involving Judy Ann Ulrich, Lynn Marie, and Donna Ulrich was a real eye opener to a lot of consumers regarding the Ford Pinto. A van collided into the back of the young girl’s car causing the Pinto to collapse, the fuel tank to rupture, and the car to engulf into flames. Donna and Lynn Marie were trapped inside and suffered to death as a result of the
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Case: The Ford Pinto 1.) In my judgment, I feel that the management of Ford Company should be held morally responsible for Mrs. Gray’s death and Richard Grimshaw’s injuries. This is because Ford Company put the Pinto on the market to be sold. In that case, the managers were aware of the risk factors if indeed these cars did sale. Certainly, I do feel the Ford Company as a whole, should be held legally liable for the death of Mrs. Gray and the injuries of Richard Grimshaw. I strongly believe
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Pinto Case Study Ford Motor Company launched the Pinto in August of 1970. This car was intended to compete with Volkswagen in the small car market. A tragic accident happen on August 10, 1978 in which three girls were killed. Two of the girls were sisters and the third was their cousin. The 1973 Ford Pinto was traveling on a highway when their car was struck from behind. The car burst into flames and all three teenagers were burned to death. Elkhart County prosecutor, Michael A. Cosentino
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a natural outcome. The Ford Pinto case is based upon act utilitarianism’s approach to making a decision using a cost benefit analysis and whether that action makes the best ethical outcome for all involved. In 1968, Ford Motor Company had a decision to make as to whether it would compete in the subcompact automotive market. Ford needed to quickly introduce a small, fuel efficient, and cheap car on the market to compete with Japanese and European imports. The Pinto was to be the answer to the competition
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