Survey Says: American Drivers Want Features That Help Make Them More Aware; New Ford Fusion up to the Challenge

[FusionForum]

Nearly nine in 10 drivers are interested in alert and assist technologies like those offered on the all-new Ford Fusion launching this fall, according to a new Ford survey

Drivers acknowledge their limitations: Nearly 50 percent have fallen asleep while driving or know someone who has; nearly six in 10 blame blind spots for accidents or near collisions and nearly four in 10 of those surveyed fear parallel parking

The all-new 2013 Ford Fusion offers the most complete suite of advanced driver assist technologies in the family sedan segment – capabilities previously only available in luxury cars that cost at least $100,000

Early orders for the 2013 Fusion include higher-than-expected demand for new technology features

According to a new survey commissioned by Ford, most Americans say they consider themselves to be careful drivers but admit they would welcome some extra electronic help when they're behind the wheel. Even the most attentive of drivers can't see everything around them at all times or anticipate every hazard on the road.

Customer attitudes evolving
Recently, leading market research firm Penn Schoen Berland conducted the survey of American drivers over the age of 18 to learn more about their attitudes toward driver assist technology.

The survey found that the vast majority of drivers are interested in getting some extra assist features in their next vehicle to help them avoid potential accidents.

"We found the drivers we talked to were definitely inclined toward features that provided real practical benefits by alerting them to potentially hazardous situations they may have missed," said Billy Mann, managing director of Penn Schoen Berland. "For them, assistance features that increase awareness ranked high among their priorities."


Even under ideal daytime conditions on a dry road, traffic can suddenly slow or someone can slip into the gap between you and the car ahead. When the sun goes down or the clouds open up, it gets harder to judge what a suitable following distance might be. Nearly nine out of 10 of the survey respondents expressed interest in technology that could assist in slowing their car if it determines there is a potential collision ahead.

Whether on the highway during rush hour, in urban traffic or a parking lot, driving in close quarters with other vehicles can be stressful for any driver. Two-thirds of the drivers who participated in the survey indicated they would be interested in systems that can help them see around other vehicles while backing out of a parking space and detect other vehicles that might be in a blind spot over their shoulders.

Meeting customer demands
"Basic transportation has long been the dominant style in the midsize family sedan segment," says Amy Marentic, Ford Group Marketing manager. "This survey shows that as consumers have become accustomed to using electronic assistants in other aspects of life, they are increasingly recognizing how technology can help them cope with the stresses of driving."

Fatigue or inattentiveness can lead to a car drifting out of its lane and eight in 10 of the surveyed drivers expressed interest in a system that could provide an alert or even help to keep the vehicle in the lane. Ford's Lane-Keeping System uses a forward-facing camera to watch for visible road markings, alerting the driver by vibrating the steering wheel if the system senses the car drifting out of its lane. Fusion is the only car in the segment that also applies a torque to the steering wheel to help nudge the car back into the lane.

"With the emergence of sensor-packed smartphones over the past several years, consumers have become accustomed to using their electronic gadgets to realize real-world benefits such as finding their way in unfamiliar places, figuring out the best place to grab a meal and track their exercise," says Sheryl Connelly, Ford manager of Global Trends and Futuring. "Advanced driver assistance features bring those benefits to the driving experience by extending the driver's senses beyond the car."

While respondents almost universally consider themselves to be safe behind the wheel, the majority also acknowledge that they engage in other activities when they are behind the wheel. Three-quarters admit to eating or drinking behind the wheel and more than half have exceeded the speed limit or used a hand-held mobile phone. Eighty-three percent admit that either they or someone they know has driven when very tired.

Adult American drivers are self-aware enough to recognize the flaws in their own driving habits and express interest in technological aids.

"We see the driver as always being at the center of control of the vehicle," said Randy Visintainer, director of Ford Research and Innovation. "With improvements in sensing and control technologies, we can now provide unprecedented levels of assistance to drivers."

While understanding it is critical that drivers always retain full control of their vehicle, Ford engineers recognize there will always be situations where they can use some help, says Visintainer, so they've developed a full suite of driver assistance technologies to help mitigate the risks. Until now, it's only been possible to get many of these features in luxury cars costing $100,000 or more.

"In the early weeks of taking orders for the new Fusion, customer interest in these driver assist features is translating into strong demand," says Marentic. "More than 14 percent of the orders so far include the Driver Assist Package (BLIS, Lane-Keeping System, auto high-beams and rain-sensing wipers), exceeding our expectations."

Fusion is the first mainstream midsize sedan to offer adaptive cruise control and more than 5 percent of customers so far are requesting this radar-based system that also incorporates forward collision warning.

For 2013, all new Fusions include the award-winning SYNC in-vehicle connectivity system as standard equipment. More than half of the respondents in the survey acknowledge they have used a hand-held mobile phone while driving. Fifty percent of customers so far are getting the enhanced voice control provided by MyFord Touch®, which is optional on Fusion SE and standard on Titanium models.