Research Paper on:
Ford Pinto: Harvard Case Study

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auto market. The Pinto had problems from the beginning. The concept was rushed through design, prototypes, testing and manufacturing in 38 months compared to a 43 month industry average for  developing and introducing a new car. The Pinto was recalled several times for: problems with engine fires and fuel-line hose construction; a flaw in the cars air pollution control equipment;  to retrofit a safety bladder into the gas tank of all Pintos; fuel leaks requiring a new fuel filler pipe and to install a polyethylene shield across the front of  the fuel tank. The latest incident to affect Ford was an article in the Mother Jones magazine that called the Ford Pinto a "firetrap" and accusing Ford of withholding  secret documents that showed this car was unsafe. The article went on to say that the Ford Pinto had caused 500 burn deaths. The auto industry is regulated by  specific legislative acts and by several different agencies, all of which were working to meet the demands of consumers who had become more aware than in the past. This was  especially true in the 1970s. The oil embargo had seriously hurt the auto industry, sending consumers to purchase the more fuel-efficient foreign subcompact models. Regulations existed for fuel economy and  safety. Ford itself had concerns about the placement of the gas tank and had considered options to increase safety during rear-end crashes. Each option, however, posed its own hazard: *  Saddle-type that places the gas tank above and mostly forward of the rear axle. * Directly above the rear axle but this increased the danger of ignition in the  passenger compartment. This would also require a circuitous filler pipe that could become dislodged more easily in a crash. Also, raising the height of the fuel tank by putting it