Ford  has won three out of a possible seven 2012 Euro NCAP best-in-class safety awards - more than any other manufacturer - with wins for new Kuga, new Transit Custom and new B-MAX.

New Kuga topped the SUV sector, Transit Custom triumphed in the Business and Family Vans class, and B-MAX was the joint winner in the small MPV category.

Euro NCAP is Europe's largest independent authority on vehicle safety. The awards reflect vehicle crash test performance and availability of advanced safety technologies.

In 2012 new  B-MAX, new Fiesta, new Kuga and new Transit Custom were each awarded a maximum five-star rating under Euro NCAP's new crash test scoring system; and Ranger and Focus retained five-star ratings awarded in 2011, against more stringent 2012 requirements.

New Kuga achieved a score of 88% for overall protection, the highest-ever rating for a mid-sized SUV.

New Transit Custom achieved 77% for overall protection after becoming the first vehicle in its class to earn a five-star Euro NCAP rating that also applies to the new Tourneo Custom people mover.

New B-MAX achieved 83% for overall protection.

Ranger is the first and only pickup to achieve a five-star rating.

Last year, Ford also became the first car manufacturer to achieve a total of seven different Euro NCAP Advanced rewards in recognition of a wide range of technologies that Ford has introduced across a number of vehicles.

Ford received Advanced rewards for MyKey on new Fiesta; SYNC with Emergency Assistance on new B-MAX, new Fiesta, C-MAX, Focus and new Kuga; and Lane Keeping Alert on Transit Custom.

Ford previously achieved Advanced rewards for Active City Stop on the Focus and new B-MAX, plus Driver Alert, Forward Alert and Lane Keeping Aid on the Focus.