With American consumers now owning multiple mobile devices, Ford thought to increase storage in the 2017 Fusion by a significant 59% over the previous model.
According to Pew Research Center, one in three Americans own a smartphone, a computer and a tablet (all three), marking a 140% increase over the last three years.
With that in mind, Ford created more space in the Fusion’s cabin by adding their sleek, low-profile rotary gear shift dial as well as making the A-pillar slimmer and designing a larger footrest.
It’s the rotary gear shift dial however that allows drivers and passengers to store their mobile devices throughout the Fusion’s cabin (or center console to be more precise), while also allowing for better direct access, which a regular shifter could have impeded.
“People love the look and feel of Fusion, but there are always things we can do to make it better,” said Kelly Whetstone, vehicle architecture supervisor for the Fusion. “So we looked at customer feedback, and then we honed in on the storage capability of the car.”
The redesigned console includes easy-to-reach bins such as the new phone pocket as well as the area for small coins. Also, by lengthening the armrest by about 3 inches, Ford managed to achieve a 4-liter increase to the main console storage area.
This rearrangement also provides more room for cord storage space so that phone or tablet cords don’t dangle or snag on anything.
“Without the larger base of the traditional shifter, there was much more room for us to add features that are important to the Fusion customer, like storage and connections,” added ergonomics engineer Hani Badawi. “We were able to shuffle around the driver-assist controls to the base of the shifter, along with the electronic brake, for a more intuitive arrangement for the customer, as well as providing a longer armrest for significantly improved elbow comfort for drivers.”
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