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MyFord Touch getting buttons and knobs back to counter criticisms

Ford deserves credit for being a front-runner in offering advanced infotainment technology with its Sync and MyFord Touch systems, but continued consumer complaints over its confusing touchscreen interface and capacitive controls has made the automaker relent. The Wall Street Journal reports that physical buttons and knobs for controlling tuning and volume will be coming back to Ford vehicles equipped with the controversial infotainment system.
The 2013 F-150 with MyFord Touch gives us a glimpse of what the new layout with buttons and knobs might look like, as Ford says a similar balance of touch screen capability and buttons/knobs are what's being planned for future models. And, while capacitive controls have no fans in the halls of Autoblog, many of Ford's models with MyFord Touch do have a large physical knob for adjusting volume with integrated buttons for tuning and advancing tracks, though most of those are models with the optional upgraded Sony Audio system. Lincoln models with MyLincoln Touch, however, feature only capacitive controls for all stereo and climate functions.
Despite receiving enough complaints to throw buttons and knobs back into the mix (a move that reminds us of BMW's iDrive trajectory, among others), Ford reports that Sync and MyFord Touch have still been sold on 79 percent of its 2013 model year vehicles, a number it claims is double the rate that Honda and Toyota are getting for their infotainment systems. Ford also states that owners who do opt for the duo of technologies are more satisfied with overall vehicle quality than those who don't have it.

Ford extends shutdown, Stellantis confirms layoffs due to chip shortage

Ford and Stellantis this week announced new production cuts due to the global semiconductor shortage, with popular models including the Ford F-150 and Jeep Grand Cherokee facing cuts. Stellantis plans to temporarily lay off workers at one facility as production is curtailed.  According to Automotive News, Ford is extending shutdowns at some of its North American facilities into May. The Blue Oval has been forced to reduce or idle production of both its redesigned F-150 pickup and the popular Explorer due to the chip shortage. The Mustang, Transit, Edge, Lincoln Nautilus and Aviator will also continue to be affected. Stellantis is planning to temporarily lay off workers at a Jeep plant in Detroit during April and May due to a shortage of semiconductor chips. The company will cut two work crews at its Jefferson North plant in Detroit for three weeks starting April 26, then call them back and lay off a third crew from May 17 through the week of May 31, according to a schedule obtained by Bloomberg News. The plant on Detroit’s east side normally operates two shifts with three work crews six days a week to keep it running 20 hours a day. “Stellantis continues to work closely with our suppliers to mitigate the manufacturing impacts caused by the various supply chain issues facing our industry,” company spokeswoman Jodi Tinson said in a statement. “Due to the unprecedented global microchip shortage, Jefferson North will adjust its production schedule through the end of May.” Jefferson North employs about 4,800 hourly workers and makes the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the top-selling Jeep model last year, and the Dodge Durango SUV. A redesigned version of the Grand Cherokee is scheduled to start production in August, according to researcher AutoForecast Solutions. This article contains reporting from Bloomberg. Plants/Manufacturing Ford Jeep Lincoln Technology chip shortage

2016 Lincoln MKX images and details hit the web

Well, what do we have here? In what we're assuming is an accidental leak, a live URL from Lincoln Canada has been brought to our attention, and it's chock full of information on a new 2016 Lincoln MKX that we figure will most likely see an introduction at the Detroit Auto Show right around the corner. "Inspired by airplane design," says Lincoln, we see a good bit of the smaller MKC in the design of the next MKX, and that's a good thing. We note HID lights with LED accents, a Panoramic Vista Roof, a hands-free power liftgate and a 360-degree camera mounted behind the front Lincoln emblem as tasty exterior details to look forward to. Inside is what appears to be a pretty darn beautiful cabin, with available Bridge of Weir leather seats with optional heating and cooling, plus 22-way adjustability. Open-pore wood in either walnut swirl of olive ash looks classy, and the newly available Revel audio with 13 or optionally 19 speakers ought to work well with the car's active noise control to provide a serene driving experience. We're not entirely sure what infotainment system the 2016 Lincoln MKX will boast, but the images appear to show a version of the much-maligned MyLincoln Touch interface, and not the upcoming Sync 3, although at least there is more physical switchgear for the HVAC, as on the MKC. As far as the vehicle's engine and chassis, we see mention of an available twin-turbo 2.7-liter EcoBoost, but there's no power rating just yet – we know it will be more than 300 horsepower, but how much more is still unknown. There's no mention of the 2016 MKX's transmission, which makes us think it will probably offer the same six-speed unit as the Ford Edge. On the plus side, there will be adaptive steering to go along with three driving modes – Normal, Comfort and Sport. Lincoln Drive Control with continuously controlled damping also sounds beneficial. That's all we know so far, but we're looking forward to getting all the details, hopefully in just a few days, since the vehicle is said to be hitting showrooms in the summer of 2015. In the meantime, check out the image gallery above, and feel free to read a lengthy discussion about the leak at the FordInsideNews.com forum. Featured Gallery 2016 Lincoln MKX Leaked Images View 14 Photos News Source: Lincoln Canada via Ford Inside NewsTip: Michael Detroit Auto Show Lincoln Crossover Luxury 2015 Detroit Auto Show lincoln mkx