DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 3 *– Ford Motor Company will continue its aggressive technology onslaught by completing the roll-out of its innovative Rear View Camera System that will be available on nearly all Ford and Lincoln models by the end of 2011.

“Ford is making new innovations such as the Rear View Camera System available to a wide range of customers in most of our vehicles to help them see better when reversing,” said Jim Buczkowski, director of electrical and electronics systems engineering at Ford. “Our research shows that visibility is one of the biggest customer concerns today, which is why we are the only company to offer a Rear View Camera System, Blind Spot Mirrors and the radar-based Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic system.”

Ford’s system uses an exterior camera embedded in the rear of the vehicle that sends images to a video display in the rearview mirror or the navigation system screen to help enhance visibility directly behind the vehicle when the driver is in reverse. The rearview mirror system allows customers a choice in systems.

Ford’s Rear View Camera System image is overlaid with lines that mark the width of the vehicle and are shown either on a rear-view mirror display or navigation system screen. The camera’s low light capability, combined with the intensity of the vehicle’s reverse lamps, helps illuminate the image even in dark parking areas.

“We believe Ford’s Rear View Camera System is easiest to use because there are lines to mark the vehicle’s size for easier parking in tight spots,” Buczkowski said.

Ford’s system will be offered on most of its full-size pickups, vans and crossovers – including the new 2011 Ford Explorer – with the added benefit of helping truck owners align and hitch trailers.

“The tendency with trucks is just to talk about the numbers, who has the most towing or the most payload,” said Doug Scott, Ford’s Pickup, SUV, and Commercial Vehicle Marketing Manager. “We lead in both of those areas, but equally important is that we’re making it easier to use that best in class capability. The Rear View Camera System makes hooking up to a trailer so much easier than it’s ever been before, so trucks and SUVs are the ideal vehicles for this feature.”

 

They are ahead of the game then. Government wants rear view cameras in all new cars by 2014.

 

If anyone from Ford is reading, PLEASE LISTEN!:

I've used cameras on many vehicles, and while they give you great visibility behind the vehicle, it creates a DANGEROUS distraction. How so? When one is looking at the camera, one CAN NOT simultaneously watch either side of the vehicle for traffic approaching (like in a parking lot). People become too reliant on the camera. IMHO what works tremendously better are the radar systems. Yes, one will not have better rear visibility, but it will allow the drive to use his eyes AND his ears to prevent hitting an object.
I have kids and understand the concern about being able to see behind me. The camera however does not let me see all of the back of my vehicle where a child could be standing, where as radar will detect something.

My $.02.

 

i think its a great idea, especially in trucks.