Understanding Public Reaction to Risk Analysis

In 1973, the Ford Motor Company introduced to the American automobile-buying public the Ford Pinto. Weighing 2000 pounds and costing only $2,000, it was shepherded from the drawing board to production in only 34 weeks, somewhat of a record in the automobile business where two-year lead times are not unheard of even under moderately severe time pressures from competition. For the Ford Motor Company, the Pinto was a successful entry into the small car market and became one of the more popular compact automobiles on the road.