In a recent podcast with Mary Roach, a renowned American author and science journalist, Ford's CEO stated that India has the world's most durable horns. He noted that designing horns for the Indian market is quite challenging.
Farley explained that horns have evolved into digital components in modern oto, allowing for customization. He then posed an intriguing question to Mary: "Do you know which country in the world has the most challenging horn design?" Mary appeared puzzled. After a moment of thought, she admitted she did not know the answer. Farley revealed the answer was India.
He stated that in India, vehicle horns must be designed to be sturdy, durable, and louder.
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The phrase "Please honk" on the back of a truck in India, encouraging other drivers to honk before overtaking. *Photo: Scroll.in* |
Farley further explained that Indian drivers honk more frequently than those in many other nations. Mary concurred, noting that trucks in India often display the phrase "Please honk" on their rear, encouraging other vehicles to honk when passing.
Jim added that trucks in India feature distinct horns: one for regular use and another for overtaking.
According to the Times of India, for much of the 20th century, many Indian highways were narrow, often without medians, and shared by diverse traffic including trucks, buses, oto, bicycles, pedestrians, and even livestock. Road markings were frequently unclear, streetlights limited, and overtaking maneuvers unpredictable.
Under these conditions, horns served not just as warning devices but as an essential form of communication among drivers. Truck drivers often relied on auditory signals from vehicles approaching from behind, particularly when hauling large loads that restricted visibility. Requiring oto drivers to honk before overtaking became a practical safety measure, mitigating uncertainty on crowded roads.
Beyond its function as a safety message, "Honk before overtaking" evolved over time, transcending its initial purpose. Indian trucks gained renown for their colorful drawings, decorative patterns, and hand-painted slogans. This phrase became a standard feature of this visual culture. Even with improved road conditions and newer vehicles equipped with better rearview mirrors and advanced safety features, the phrase persisted. Today, many trucks continue to display it, not as a mandatory operational requirement, but as a cherished part of a long-standing tradition.
Ironically, despite the discussion of the Indian market, Ford ceased selling vehicles in the country in 2021. India proved to be one of Ford's most challenging markets, incurring significant global losses for the company.
While Ford had also exited some niche markets or faced substantial pressure in Europe, its failure in India was far more extensive and financially draining. The company accumulated over 2 billion USD in operating losses within 10 years before deciding to close its factories in 2021. This, combined with an 800 million USD asset impairment in 2019, meant the financial losses in India were immense for a long-established automaker.
By My Anh (Source: Cartoq)
