Jumping into a new car from the driver's seat of something built before 2010 can cause quite the case of future shock. Over that time, automakers have been in a technology frenzy, loading up new vehicles with all manner of gizmos, gadgets, and features, some meant to make your life easier, others to make your journey safer. But do car buyers actually want all this stuff? A new survey by JD Power suggests they may not.
With enough time, a new convenience feature just becomes something buyers expect to be there. Starter motors replaced hand cranks for a reason, and I imagine most modern motorists would prefer not to deal with manual chokes. Manual window winders became more expensive and heavier than electric ones, leading to their extinction.
Some of the technology creep has come about by regulation or the threat of it. While many bemoan the "iPad on the dash," the legal requirement for a backup camera means there needs to be a screen in the car to display that feed. Steering wheels and dashboards grew to conceal airbags. And now vehicle fascias conceal sensors that can alert the driver or stop the car in the event of an imminent head-on crash.
But according to JD Power's Tech Experience Survey, which "measures problems encountered and the user experience with advanced technologies as they first enter the market," advanced technology in cars needs to solve real problems, and too much tech simply doesn't do that. READ MORE...
It's not just cars - motorcycles too! Bikes used to be all about you, the machine & the road. Now we have electronics & software getting in the way. That's distracting enough - but what happens when it (invariably - trust me on this!) fails? I & most riders want none of this, but it is what the manufacturers & legislators want. Meh...
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