CR’s intrepid reporters noticed a different sort of latch handle on the rump of the Ford Edge during the LA Auto Show. Last winter, Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer of Ford Motor Company, came to CR’s auto test facility in Connecticut to meet with us. During our meeting, we pointed out several aspects of the company’s products that we thought could be improved. One was the rear hatch of the then newly-introduced Edge. In our Road Test of the crossover SUV, we noted that “many testers complained about the tailgate, which is awkward to grasp and heavy to lift and lower.”

We showed Mr. Mulally and his top-gun executives how the design and location of the handle afforded very little leverage when it came to lifting the lid.

Well, sometimes, children, wishes can come true.

Pictured here is a newly-designed Edge rear tailgate. We’re not positive that this will be the ready-for-prime-time gate, but we’re happy to report that it seems like the folks at Ford took to heart our specific recommendation we gave to Mr. Mulally.

We like to think that some automakers are inclined to take some of our recommendations. Hopefully, more meetings like these will result in better designs making it to production vehicles.

—Mike Quincy

Update: Ford has announced for the 2008 model: "A new design for the liftgate handle also allows for easier access to the vehicle’s rear cargo area."