BRENTWOOD, Essex – 20 June, 2007 -- Ford S-MAX European Car of the Year 2007 has been named winner in the large MPV category at the British Insurance Car Security Awards, presented by Richard Kitchen, Director of Policy and Communications at the DVLA. Ford's new Galaxy was runner-up.

Backed by Thatcham, the Department for Transport, UK Insurers and supported by the Home Office, the Awards rated vehicles according to their resistance to theft and break-ins. The S-MAX achieved the highest score with Galaxy a close second - scooping the key awards in the highly competitive large MPV category.

Standard security features on the S-MAX include Thatcham Category 1 alarms, remote-control deadlocks, engine immobiliser and visible VIN numbers.

Steve Adams, Ford's vehicle line director for large and luxury cars, said: “We consider security to be of paramount importance and we are thrilled that the S-MAX and Galaxy have won the top two positions of this prestigious accolade. This award is testament to the great effort and dedication of our security engineers, but the real winners are our customers."