Ford to introduce automatic parking technology

Ford Motors may be working hard to stave off bankruptcy, but that hasn't stopped America's No.2 automaker from investing in new technologies. In mid-2009 it plans to introduce its version of a car that parallel-parks itself in its new Lincoln MKT luxury crossover and the Lincoln MKS large sedan.

It expects the system to get a warmer reception than the first self-parking car, the widely mocked Lexus LS 460L luxury sedan. "This is technology that works and makes people's lives easier," said Mark Fields, president of Ford's North and South American operations. Fields calls it part of a "steady stream" of advanced new features Ford is introducing to rebuild the company's image as a technical leader.

"We're democratising technology," he said, citing Sync, which provides voice control of mobile phones and audio systems, and a system on the 2010 Ford Fusion midsize sedan that alerts drivers when a vehicle is in their blind spot.

Lexus introduced its self-parking system on the $63,675 LS 460 luxury sedan a couple of years ago. The system is part of a $6,345 option package on the 2009 LS 460. Ford won't reveal prices for Lincolns with the system yet, but Fields said the vehicles would cost far less than the big Lexus sedan.

Lexus' complicated park-assist system quickly became the butt of jokes because of its slow and inconsistent operation. Ford hopes to avoid that fate by using ultrasonic sensors rather than cameras to provide its system with more precise data for parking.

According to Ford, the technology is a "major leap forward in speed and ease of use compared with the camera-reliant systems offered by competitors" as the system requires less driver interface and reduces the risk of selecting a parking spot that is too tight, as well as having the ability to work in downhill parking situations.