DEARBORN, Michigan — Rear-seat passengers have sometimes been second-class citizens when it comes to the latest automotive safety features. But Ford took a big step toward remedying that on Thursday with word that it will introduce the industry's first inflatable seatbelts for rear seat passengers. The new safety feature will debut on the 2011 Ford Explorer, which is due out next year in the North American market.

No word, however, on how much the inflatable rear belts will inflate the bottom line for consumers.

The automaker said the advanced restraint system is designed to help reduce head, neck and chest injuries for rear-seat passengers, typically children and older passengers. While the Explorer will be the first vehicle in the Ford lineup to receive the technology, the automaker said it plans a gradual global rollout "over time."

The belts look like and operate like conventional seatbelts and are said to be compatible with infant and children safety car and booster seats. In the event of a crash, the belt's tubular airbag inflates with cold compressed gas that flows through a specially designed buckle from a cylinder housed below the seat. The belts also fill at a lower pressure and a slower rate than traditional airbags, because they don't need to close a gap between the belt and the occupant, Ford said. After deployment, the belt remains inflated for several seconds before dispersing its air through the pores of the airbag.

Inside Line says: Kudos to Ford for this step forward in safety. Look for other automakers to follow along. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent

Ford unveils industry's first* production inflatable seat belts
*Ford may not be the first to market with the idea. The Lexus LFA, also set to enter production next year, features an SRS seatbelt airbag as well. We don't know if the next-gen Explorer will beat the LFA to dealer showrooms yet, but Ford can at least take pride in knowing that its technology will be protecting more than just 500 lives.