This week’s Sunday Times had an article about car design and older people. I am afraid these journalists don’t get any better at choosing titles:” old-mobiles: car makers join the grey revolution”
A few of the interesting pieces from the article
In September Mazda will launch the M5 a medium sized MPV with large sliding doors for easy entry and exit. A Mazda spokesman said: “the vehicle is deigned with ease of access in mind for people what not as supple as they once were”. Apparently the average age of a Mazda customer is 40-45, above the industry average.
Japan has caught on quicker than the UK or US to the needs of older people because of its even fast aging population. It seems that the Suzuki Wagon R+ became the bestselling small car in Japan in the 1990s mainly because of its popularity with older drivers.
The article suggested that Honda are getting in on the act and that the Honda Legend European Prototype that will launched at the Geneva Motor show will be the first car to use Intelligent Night Vision System which detects pedestrians in the road. It inferred this was something of special interest to older people. My guess is that it is the sort of gadget that will appeal to all ages.
My thanks to Chuck Nyren for reminding me that the article talks a lot about the « ageing suit » that Ford has created to help their young car designer understand the physical constraints of older people. As Chuck said: « Funny how it never occurred to them to ferret out and hire a designer over fifty ».
The biggest down side of the article was the artist impression of the car of the future and the reference to the Toyota NLSV concept car designed for the older person.
I have got to tell you guys that neither of these are what you might call ‘attractive’. I might have a different view when I am 80 but I think the designers have to realise that getting old doesn’t mean losing all sense of aesthetics. Dick Stroud www.20plus30.com
www.20plus30.com