From next year, the fonts in Ford’s Edge and Explorer SUV models will be some 40% larger as well as thicker. The reason? Baby Boomers have poor eyesight. No, really, Ford’s done a study and everything. The bigger fonts will extend to interior display screens control and A/C controls, and will gradually be rolled out onto other models in the Ford range in coming years.
In a statement on their website, Ford expressed its desire to make it, “easier for people of all ages, particularly aging Baby Boomers, to read display fonts.” Ah, like the little boy or girl who flat-out tells his grandparents that they’re old and wrinkly, Ford has snagged upon that babying / slow and loud way anyone under the age of 30 speak to anyone over the age of 50:
“YES, MRS. JOHNSON. THE WEATHER IS NICE TODAY. DO YOU THINK YOU’LL GO DOWN TO THE PARK?”
Or to your local Ford dealership, perhaps? Ford continues its onslaught on the not-elderly as their statement continues:
“Today, aging consumers are of great interest to companies including Ford. For the first time, people age 65 and over will outnumber children under the age of 5. It’s a transformation that’s changing the world, along with all kinds of products in it.”
Ouch. Maybe they should just go all out and put a catheter under the front seat and a folding Zimmer frame in the boot. Ooh, and a radio that only plays music from before 1970! Whether or not this will be as big an upset as SmartMoney’s Catey Hill predicts, I can’t say. We will wait and see.
By Tristan Hankins
11 Comments:
BAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHHA
Ford may be loving the oldie consumers, but it's sure avoiding employing oldies. For "ergonomic empathy" of oldie issues, younger engineers have to invent and use the "third age suit".
Ford, just employ some older engineer(s) to test it, rather than a simulated one!!
This make sense because....because....now, what was I talking about? Nurse!! Where's my creamed peas?
Sad but true.
It happens to everyone.
(51 and now needs reading glasses.)
A smart and sensible move to sell a couple more cars. But the real issue is simple: JUST START USING THE DAM GLASSES!!!!
I know lots of people (primarily macho men) above 40/50 that despite the fact they can't see shit, they refuse to use glasses. Specially when the eyesight starts to fade, instead of trying to prevent aggravating the problem they ignore it.
ahahahaha ohh lol
crazy excuse, but larger markings should improve safety across the board. what fmc needs to do is to stop insulting potential customers by singling out a demographic. volvo does safety best.
I can't stand the instrument clusters in the new Mustangs and Camaros. What year is it?!????? Seriously. I know, I know, some people like the "retro" look. Fine, I get that. But, please, do we have to also have the retro gauges?
If you can't see the instruments, should you really even be on the road?
Maybe they should make the dashes on the highway thicker as well, so that Grandpa doesn't tread into my lane all the time.
Seniors with sight problems involving driving, usually are manifest with night vision, not reading an instrument.
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