Ford SmartGauge with Eco Drive

Some people buy hybrids and are disappointed with their mileage. Driving style makes a big difference. Knowing this, our team at Smart Design recommended to Ford that they shouldn't just think of the instrument cluster as a one-way flow of information, vehicle to driver. The vehicle's computer also knows what the driver is doing. Starting with a blank slate (or should I say two blank LCDs) we suggested that we should design the cluster to influence behavior – ultimately, use design and information to improve mileage. The Ford SmartGauge is Ford's first generation of LCD based instrument panels designed to help drivers drive more efficiently.

The EPA recently rated the new 2010 Ford Fusion at 41 MPG city, 36 MPG highway. Journalists in test drives reported getting 50 MPG and more when guided by the SmartGauge. So does that mean, through design alone, we increased mileage by 9 miles per gallon?

Here's a link to an article titled Ford's Green Plan to Drive Sales at BusinessWeek Online.