Compact Killer’s Ethics of Vehicle Manufacturing

Compact Killer’s

PH 308, Business Ethics

Compact Killer’s

Introduction/Review of the Case

In the late 1960’s the Germany and Japan were leading the race in the production of a sub-compact cost effective vehicle. In order to combat this Ford, a well-known American car manufacture, rushed production of a similar style vehicle. This urgency to compete with foreign markets led to the production of the Ford Pinto that killed hundreds.

While normal engineering of a car takes on average (Pasquarello, 2006) “about 43 months, the Pinto schedule was set to just under 25.” This severely reduced schedule led to many oversights, primarily in the area of safety. The problem with the vehicle was when it was hit from the rear at a speed of 25 MPH the hose leading up to the refill valve would break free and allow gasoline to pour out. To make matters worse, if the vehicle were to be hit from the rear at a rate of 40 MPH the doors were likely to jam and the bolts from the rear differential would puncture the gas tank causing even more gas to leak from the vehicle. This would likely lead to passengers being burned alive in the vehicle.

Even though Ford rushed the production of the Pinto, anonymity cannot be claimed for the awareness of this issue. In fact, in early testing of the Pinto Ford considered alternatives such as the Capri tank. This tank tested much more successful and (Pasquarello, 2006) “the Capri tank rides over the rear axle and differential housing” allowing it to avoid being punctured. If Ford engineers were aware of this potential problem why wasn’t it addressed? Lee Iococca, President of Ford Motor Company was dead set on having the Pinto out on the showroom floor in 1971. If anyone were to question the design leading to a delay in production they would be fired. Engineers were to stick to the “Green Book” which was the project objectives for the design of the Pinto. This Green Book never addressed safety issue with the vehicle.

Once the...