The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Ford Motor Co. is planning to launch a line of vehicles that are equipped with automatic parallel-parking systems. That's right, cars that can park themselves.It doesn't sound like a bright idea to me, but I guess when you have billions in bailout money - you can afford to throw some money down the drain.
Similar technology is already available from Toyota for their Lexus cars, but Ford's version supposedly requires less driver input and reduces the risk of selecting a parking spot that is too small.
Mark Fields, president of Ford, said the company is counting on such technological innovations to help separate Ford from competitors and draw more people into its showrooms.
What do you think? Will this resurrect Ford? Or will they be asking for more bailout money when this idea flops?
This is just DUMB. Here we are in the midst of economic and energy crisis and we're developing cars that can park themselves. Shouldn't Ford be concentrating on making American vehicles as energy efficient as possible? Shouldn't they make sure that basic features can hold up during the expected life of the car?
ReplyDeleteJust my two cents, for what it's worth.
Is there a way to voice our displeasure (If thats a word) with Ford?
ReplyDeleteFord is about ready for purchase by VW or Honda or some other car company outside of the US. If that is the best you can do, then they are out of here. People are not looking for a fancy feature now. They are wondering if they will be working and making the same amount of money this time next year. Making cars that hold up so that repair bills don't knock them off of their budget is going to be key. Giving buyers more for their money not less.
ReplyDeleteHere are my additional thoughts on the Auto industry bail out.
ReplyDeletehttp://darryl-anderson.blogspot.com/2008/12/auto-bail-out-or-auto-collapse-or-both.html