This is a feature that is now very common in modern cars: automatic parking assistance.

Equipment to facilitate parking

As the name suggests, this is an accessory designed for facilitate parking maneuvers. This system uses sensors built into the car to detect available parking spaces and help you park automatically. When you want to park, you activate the system which automatically scans available places around youand measure the size to make sure it will fit your car. After that, the system takes over the steering wheel and automatically directs you to the parking space. However, you are still responsible for speed and braking, the system monitors obstacles around the vehicle to avoid collisions. When the car is correctly placed in a parking space, it signals to you that the maneuver is complete by placing the car in neutral gear and applying the hand (or parking) brake. With some settings, the principle is the same depending on the manufacturer: it is called Park Assist, Intelligent Parking, Park Smart, etc. In Ford, which we are interested in hereis called an indoor system Automated parallel parking.

Ford is removing its parking assist system due to lack of success

But not for long: the manufacturer will remove this technique from its next models just because it is practically not used by drivers. According to Bloomberg, Ford COO Kumar Galhotra made the announcement during a call with analysts about connected vehicles. The equipment is actually rarely used by drivers in practice. It is not yet clear if this applies to all vehicles or just those sold in North America. In any case, this choice will have very specific financial consequences. Mr. Galhotra estimates the car’s savings at $60 (€56). Or some 10 million dollars (9.3 million euros) per year. In total, Ford hopes to save about $2 billion (€1.9 million) by removing “similar equipment.” “Connected vehicle data is very important because it allows us to know if customers are using the equipment we provide,” he said. “For example, the automatic parking function, which allows the client to automatically parallel park. Very, very few people use it and so we can remove this feature. That’s about $60 per car”…

So, real help or gimmick? Either way, Ford’s customers have decided.

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