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14 May 2021
Ford will look to build more on its American heritage with its future European line-up, according to the firm’s European boss.
The company is the only mainstream American-owned manufacturer still operating in the European market, and European boss Stuart Rowley said that gave it a point of differentiation from rivals. Major rival GM quit the UK market after selling Vauxhall. US brand Jeep does sell vehicles in the UK, but it only has a limited range of off-roaders and is now part of the Dutch-based Italian-French Stellantis group.
Ford has long had a bespoke UK and Europe line-up developed locally. Its product range has changed substantially in recent years, with the new Puma crossover now outselling the perennially best-selling Fiesta, and the firm recently announcing it was axing the Mondeo saloon.
Combines GPS data with detailed mapping technology to accurately identify bends Published: May 03, 2021 15:25 wheels A computer algorithm calculates the speed and trajectory of the vehicle so that it can adjust the headlights appropriately. Image Credit: Ford/PA
Ford has revealed it is testing headlight technology that knows what turns are ahead, so it can adapt the beam appropriately.
Headlights that change the angle of their beam depending on where the wheel is turned have been around for a few years now, while Ford itself pioneered the reading of road signs and lane markings as cues for where the road was heading.
Ford of Europe announced a new ways of making driving in the dark easier and more comfortable: have your headlights swivel to follow curves in the road ahead, guided by GPS and a high-definition digital map in the vehicle. Engineers from Ford Research and Advanced Engineering Europe are testing technology that uses real-time location data to effectively show the car the way to go. The predictive smart headlight system directs beams into upcoming corners even before drivers may have seen them, illuminating hazards and other road users more quickly and effectively.
The prototype advanced lighting system uses GPS location data, advanced technologies and highly accurate street geometry information to accurately identify turns in the road ahead. An algorithm calculates the trajectory and speed of the vehicle to proactively adjust the direction of its headlights, providing optimal light coverage of bends, junctions and even hazards lurking around the corner.