Ford Study Counters Venezuela Charges

Ford Motor Co. released a study that concludes its Explorers have been involved in far fewer rollover accidents and fatal crashes in Venezuela than at least two other popular sport-utility vehicles. The other vehicles weren’t identified.

The Ford study, based on available government reports since the start of 2000, found among 1,059 SUV accidents, 8.2% involved rollovers, with Explorers accounting for 11%. Of the 47 fatalities, two occurred in Explorers, the report said.

The study contradicts statements made by the head of Venezuela’s consumer agency, who is seeking a ban on Explorer sales in the country based on charges that rollovers accidents involving the SUV have caused 37 deaths since the car maker replaced the Firestone tires on such vehicles in August.