DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford officials happily shared this week that the 2011 Fiesta was named a 2010 Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The automaker now has had eight vehicles receive this designation, the most for any manufacturer, according to officials. Before this week's announcement, Ford had been tied with Toyota for most units hailed by IIHS.

Along with establishing a new industry high, Ford also pointed out the Fiesta is the first mini-car to receive this accolade since the institute introduced a new roof strength test.

OEM officials explained how the Fiesta did so well in IIHS' analysis. They contend the Fiesta's energy-absorbing body structure is optimized for strength and stiffness and designed to absorb and redirect crash forces away from the passenger compartment. The safety rating is thanks in large part to the extensive use of high-strength steels, Trinity front crash structure, Side Protection And Cabin Enhancement (SPACE) Architecture and advanced airbag technologies.

Ford also emphasized the Fiesta features the most standard airbags in its segment, as well as standard electronic stability control — a required feature for Top Safety Pick eligibility.

"Fiesta is proof that a small car can deliver big safety, and earning a Top Safety Pick further demonstrates Ford's commitment to providing all of our customers with world-class crash protection," stated Sue Cischke, Ford's group vice president of sustainability, environment and safety engineering.

"Fiesta combines rigidity and more airbags — smartly deployed — than its competition, as well as standard stability control," Cischke added.

Industry Reaction to Fiesta Honor

James Bell, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's Kbb.com, wasn't surprised when Ford took home this safety award for the Fiesta.

"This is a big deal for a small car as it helps confirm what Kbb.com has been telling smart car shoppers: The new generation of subcompact cars is not the same as the ‘penalty boxes' of yore," Bell surmised.

"Unanticipated levels of refinement, design and convenience meet expected great fuel efficiency and low entry prices in this re-energized class, and as confirmed with the new Fiesta, safety no longer needs to be a point of compromise," he continued.

However, Bell thinks a wide array of factors is presenting Ford with a "wonderful but bedeviling problem" as the Fiesta roll-out ensues.

"As is much too often the case in the complex automotive manufacturing business, getting this hot little car into excited buyers' hands has been a struggle," Bell asserted.

"Between production delays and the impact of storms on shipping lanes, many early Fiesta buyers have been kept waiting. And, recent news that a pesky part fix and delay has been corrected and shipments can begin once again is key for this very important vehicle for Ford, as well as the coming CAFE regulated market in general," he explained.

Bell delved into a deeper discussion about Ford's issues getting the Fiesta to dealerships.

"Unconfirmed speculation is that the part in question was a seat control lever," Bell indicated.

"This was of extra interest to us at Kbb.com as we also encountered a faulty seat lever when testing the Fiesta earlier this year. At that time, we were told that this was a known issue but would be addressed well before launch," he continued.

"If the speculation is true, then it seems the issue was not quite fixed before launch. However, we are happy to see Ford addressing part fix issues now so the Fiesta can continue to roll-out toward success," Bell went on to say.

More Details About Fiesta's Design

Ford pointed out the Fiesta uses significant cold- and hot-formed high-strength steel in the body structure. The company contends these components add rigidity and save weight, increasing structural efficiency while also helping Fiesta deliver class-leading fuel efficiency of 40 mpg, which is achieved with a new six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission.

Officials indicated more than 55 percent of Fiesta's body structure uses these high-strength or ultra-high-strength steels in the floor structure, front rails, beams and in the ultra-rigid, integrated body reinforcement ring. They said it's all designed to help better protect occupants in side impacts.

Furthermore, the manufacturer stressed that Fiesta A- and B-pillars are fashioned from ultra-high-strength aluminized boron steel. It's meant to add robustness while allowing for slim width to honor Fiesta's distinctive design.

The company asserted that rocker panels — with welded baffles to absorb impact — also are crafted from high-strength, dual-phase steels, known for their energy-absorption qualities.

Ford also revealed the side roof arch employs dual-phase steel construction. The under-floor support beams — what the company calls sled runners — and lateral floor reinforcements also use high-strength, dual-phase steel.

"These light but strong metals in Fiesta's robust body shell help enhance crash protection by adding strength, rigidity and durability," Ford officials emphasized.

Fiesta's Other Safety Features

Ford thinks the Fiesta body shell is well-equipped with safety features to help protect its occupants in the event of a collision, including the most standard airbags in the segment.

The company mentioned Fiesta offers a segment-exclusive driver's knee airbag. It was developed to help reduce lower leg injuries in the event of a frontal collision and to work together with other safety features.

OEM officials explained the knee airbag joins a suite of Fiesta safety features including dual-stage first-row airbags, side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags.

"A knee airbag won't be found in Honda Fit, Nissan Versa or Toyota Yaris," Ford declared. "Move up to Civic, Sentra and Corolla and you still won't find a driver's knee airbag."

Moreover, the company highlighted that the Fiesta is equipped with Passenger Occupant Detection System sensors. They are made to determine occupant weight and seat belt status to optimize deployment force. Ford said these smart sensors include the class-exclusive side-impact sensor that uses pressure that are designed to react up to 30 percent faster than previous sensor offerings.

Finally, also available on the Fiesta is Ford's AdvanceTrac with ESC (electronic stability control). Again, this system uses sensors to detect and measure yaw, or side-to-side skidding conditions, by monitoring vehicle speed, throttle position and steering wheel angle. Officials explained that when AdvanceTrac senses wheel slip, engine torque is reduced and braking is applied where needed to help the driver keep the vehicle tracking on its intended path.

"Fiesta sets a new benchmark for small car safety," Cischke emphasized.

"Fiesta is a clear example that making a safe car doesn't mean making a large car or a heavy car," she continued. "Fiesta has it all: safety, good design and driving character."