first step in a defect investigation.

We have not determined whether or not there is a defect in the first place,

We intend to keep the investigation open. We need to make sure the recall has addressed the total problem. That's one thing we need to make certain of.

We commend Ford for stepping up, being very cooperative and voluntarily recalling these vehicles, ... Our investigation is ongoing, and we intend to keep it open because we want to find the root cause of the failure and make sure that we've identified the totality of the problem.

[Allowing states to enforce their own standards would lead to a confusing patchwork of requirements, NHTSA spokesman Rae Tyson said. Tyson added that a recent Supreme Court decision on a lawsuit exonerating Honda Motor Co. from liability in an air bag case made clear NHTSA has the authority to pre-empt state measures.] Congress has given us the authority to set safety standards, ... We're merely restating our authority. We're the agency that sets standards. Our standards are not minimum standards.

The roof crush standard is a proposal and we'll certainly take all comments into account when we write the final regulation.