This academic year in one of my business classes somebody mentioned the Ford Pinto Scandal, and it seemed ever so interesting. So, I intensely researched it and was quite surprised about how morally wrong Ford was at the time. Basically the fuel tank of the Pinto was placed in such a way that a rear-end collision would likely thrust the tank into protruding bolts which would likely cause it to explode. The tank would almost certainly be forced into the bolts due to the lack of a significant rear bumper. The design is below:
Ford was aware of this design flaw-and many others- but they figured, with a cost-benefit analysis, that it would be cheaper to pay for all the lawsuits from the deaths than to actually recall the cars ($11 per car). It was almost like Ford was letting people burn to death in exchange for money. Rightfully Ford had to endure some consequences for this. Their brand name was hit hard, and even to this day many people look at Ford’s Pinto scandal with shame. But, the sad fact remains that over 30 people died because of Ford’s immorality.
Sources:
http://www.sunypress.edu/pdf/53079.pdf
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