Say goodbye to incandescent light bulbs, not just in your house, but in your car.
Just as Thomas Edison’s favorite bulbs are on their way out in homes, automakers are ditching them as well in cars in favor of more reliable LEDs. Ford is in the forefront with the coming new 2013 Fusion.
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Not only are incandescents gone as illumination for the instrument panel, dome lights and ambient lighting in favor of light-emitting diodes; now, headlights and taillights are all LEDs as well.
LEDs are smaller so they package better, but also are more durable and use less energy. And costs have come down to where they are roughly similar to incandescents.
While incandescent bulbs have a life of about two years, LEDs will outlive the vehicles they are in, said Mahendra Dassanayake, technical leader for Ford design.
That translates into savings for owners and reduces Ford warranty costs, chief designer Michael Arbaugh said.
LEDs also offer new flexibility. In the Fusion interiors, owners can switch the lighting from ice blue — now a Ford signature color — to purple, orange, red, white or green. “Consumers are usually surprised by the variety,” Arbaugh said. “I believe it’s a competitive advantage.”
Until eight years ago, green was Ford’s color – using incandescent bulbs and a color filter – but it was a raw shade that was not very friendly, Dassanayake said. Green is in the new palette but the LEDs produce a more soothing and relaxing shade, he said.
The current Explorer and Edge adopted the new ice blue — a color Ford research shows promotes alertness — in their interiors, Arbaugh said. When the new Escape and C-Max go on sale, they also will be awash in the new hue. “It’s the grand commitment.”
But Ford’s upscale Lincoln brand uses white lighting to create a distinct, sophisticated brand image. Lincoln adopted white lighting with the 2003 Lincoln Navigator.
Dassanayake said proper lighting consists of the right graphics and colors and contributes to safer driving by keeping the driver calmer, more alert and better able to concentrate.
Just as Thomas Edison’s favorite bulbs are on their way out in homes, automakers are ditching them as well in cars in favor of more reliable LEDs. Ford is in the forefront with the coming new 2013 Fusion.
(click below to read more)
Not only are incandescents gone as illumination for the instrument panel, dome lights and ambient lighting in favor of light-emitting diodes; now, headlights and taillights are all LEDs as well.
LEDs are smaller so they package better, but also are more durable and use less energy. And costs have come down to where they are roughly similar to incandescents.
While incandescent bulbs have a life of about two years, LEDs will outlive the vehicles they are in, said Mahendra Dassanayake, technical leader for Ford design.
That translates into savings for owners and reduces Ford warranty costs, chief designer Michael Arbaugh said.
LEDs also offer new flexibility. In the Fusion interiors, owners can switch the lighting from ice blue — now a Ford signature color — to purple, orange, red, white or green. “Consumers are usually surprised by the variety,” Arbaugh said. “I believe it’s a competitive advantage.”
Until eight years ago, green was Ford’s color – using incandescent bulbs and a color filter – but it was a raw shade that was not very friendly, Dassanayake said. Green is in the new palette but the LEDs produce a more soothing and relaxing shade, he said.
The current Explorer and Edge adopted the new ice blue — a color Ford research shows promotes alertness — in their interiors, Arbaugh said. When the new Escape and C-Max go on sale, they also will be awash in the new hue. “It’s the grand commitment.”
But Ford’s upscale Lincoln brand uses white lighting to create a distinct, sophisticated brand image. Lincoln adopted white lighting with the 2003 Lincoln Navigator.
Dassanayake said proper lighting consists of the right graphics and colors and contributes to safer driving by keeping the driver calmer, more alert and better able to concentrate.
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