The move is a response to criticism that its infotainment systems are overly complilcated
After loads of criticism, Ford is taking some of the touch out of MyFord Touch, its touch screen-based infotainment system.
It is restoring knobs to the controls, much as it has done all along in its F-150 trucks. The announcement comes two days before J.D. Power and Associates is due to announce its annual Initial Quality Survey, a closely watched industry measure. For the past two years, the survey has dramatically lowered Ford’s ranking in overall quality, apparently largely because of the complicated and distracting infotainment system controls. Each time, Ford executives said they are fixing the problem.
Ford buried the announcement that is going to put back knobs — a fixture of controlling entertainment systems since the invention of the car radio — instead just touch controls in an announcement touting all of MyFord Touch’s sales success. It says it use the same system that it has seen in its pickup trucks across the Ford lineup.
“While the features made available by MyFord Touch are certainly compelling, the replacement of simple knobs and buttons may have been a bit overkill,” says Jack Nerad, exective editorial director for Kelley Blue Book. “When it comes to performing simple tasks, such as adjusting the volume of the radio, its best to stick to what works and what people are familiar with, and in this case, nothing beats a knob.”
Ford says MyFord Touch, along with a feature that syncs it to a cellphone, are sold on 79% of its 2013 vehicles. It says more than half of customers cite the touch screen as a reason to buy.
from:NJYTOUCH
No comments:
Post a Comment