Pickups Help Guide Next-Gen MyFord Touch
At a time when U.S. vehicle production is higher than it has been in years, every automaker is searching for the smallest advantage. So making sure your customers don't have to work too hard to control things like the radio, air-conditioning controls or navigation system is critical. Unfortunately, in the last few years, Ford has struggled in this area with different versions of the its MyFord Touch system.
In fact, editors at our sister website Cars.com have chronicled their difficulties with the MyFord Touch system in vehicles like the new Edge, Flex and Escape. Although most of the editors appreciated the four-quadrant layout of the screen, the touch feedback and occasional delayed responses were difficult to overlook. We should also note the previous-generation MyFord Touch system was thought to be a contributing factor to Ford's significant drop in its ranking in J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study, going all the way back to the 2010 model year.
Astute PickupTrucks.com readers may remember that Ford pickup trucks got a new version of MyFord Touch in direct response to the difficulties some customers were having with the set-up. The new version does a better job of integrating knob controls with touch-screen feedback in the F-150, F-250 and F-350 models.
The set-up that was rolled out in Ford pickups will likely guide design of the new MyFord Touch system the automaker will create for its new cars, crossovers and SUVs. Although we suspect those vehicles won't be able to accommodate the larger, more vertical look of the pickups' MyFord Touch layout, incorporating redundant knobs and easier-to-see buttons are likely to be a part of the next-generation system.
Comments
This is always the difficulty with new technology, especially when it comes to technology that directly interacts with humans. It takes years to get it right, then when you finally do get it right you end up being outdated and need to start the process all over again. It's a vicious cycle.
Not to mention you still have to find a way to deal with all the old people and luddites who don't understand new tech and don't want to learn, yet still want to buy a 'loaded' truck because they think 'loaded' means you get air conditioning and power windows/locks.
Not everybody wants or needs all the 'latest and greatest' in a high tech dash.For me,I buy what I need and that doesn't include nav and some of the other add on doodads that drive up the price.For some people the thought of not getting everything in a truck,(or car) is repugnant to them.Go figure.
Here a base model pickup would have been a loaded truck 15 years ago, except for the vinyl floor.
Power everything, aircon and a decent stereo with all the connectivity needed.
Does that describe a base model.
@Big Al from Oz--The definition of base model is ever changing. Little did I ever dream a base model would have electric windows and locks, automatic, air, and a good stereo. It is getting to where My Touch and hands free systems are becoming standard. It is amazing how fast this technology has been adapted to products that we use every day. It is also amazing that there are not more problems with this technology--it is remarkably reliable.
JeffS.: the problem with these "loaded" vehicles are, when they are 40-50yrs old or so, you will not be able to "restore: them!
@sandman4x4--You brought up a very valid point. Electronics go bad after a while and it can be very hard costly to diagnose electrical problems. The number and complexity of electrical devices on a car or truck is ever increasing. The manufacturers are not interested in people keeping things, they want to sell you something sooner than later. Some consumers want to hold onto their cars and trucks a long time. I hold onto my vehicles a long time. I guess 40 or 50 years from now there will still be a number of vehicles from the 70s and before but there will be few of today's vehicles being displayed in car shows. That is kind of a shame it is always good to have something from a prior generation (a bit of history) to be shared with the next generation. You are correct it will be very hard to restore today's vehicles.
I have to agree. My 2010 XLT with the STX package (Canada) or chrome and convenience package (USA) is one step up from base in the crew cab. In 1990, my current truck would of been the Lariet package.
I suspect that many of these new vehicles will be impossible to restore in 20-30 years time due to the electronics.
"I think this is one area where Ford really is better off going it alone. Ford has little to gain and Toyota nothing to lose in partnering on fullsize trucks in just about any regard.
Investments in new technology can likely be recouped far quicker on something like Ford's fullsize pickups than on smaller hybrids or EV's. I doubt Toyota can safely invest in a new hybrid system for the Tundra due to its low volume"
I think your last sentence is key. I believe Toyota reviewed its business case for Tundra and said this is crazy. In fact, there is probably a fairly good chance that there won't be another new Tundra. Toyota will just facelift the current one indefinitely and "ranger" it like they are doing to Tacoma right now.
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