Ford to Offer Optional Air Bags

Ford Motor Co. customers will be able to buy some cars with air bags as optional safety equipment starting in March, Chairman Donald E. Petersen said today.

Ford said the air bag system will be optional on Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz four-door sedans at a suggested retail price of $815. The air bag will be on the driver’s side of the car, Ford said. The move makes Ford the first American car manufacturer to make air bags available to the general public.