Ford Survey Highlights Optimism of Thai Commuters Despite Congestion Woes

          From frustration with gridlock to distress over rising costs, to a sense of optimism about an improving daily commute, a new survey commissioned by Ford Motor Company reveals a wide range of perceptions around the state of the commute in Asia Pacific.
          Although 64 percent of daily commuters in Thailand said they spend more time in traffic than they did a year earlier, close to half of respondents said their commute had improved, and three in ten reported no noticeable difference. Less than a quarter of respondents said their commute was getting worse. 
          Vietnamese respondents were the most likely to say their commute had improved over the last year, followed by commuters in India and Indonesia. The three countries also topped the podium for the most people who said they like their commute. 
          On the other end of the spectrum, Filipino commuters edged out Chinese respondents as the least satisfied with the deteriorating quality of their commute. More than one in four respondents in China and the Philippines said their commute was the worst part of their day. In Taiwan and South Korea, more than half of respondents reported no change in the quality of their commute.
Thailand Commuters Spending More Time on the Road, but the Glass is Still Half-Full 
          More than 64 percent of Thai commuters are spending more time in traffic that than they did a year ago, but a longer commute isn't getting them down. The survey found that a majority of commuters in Thailand feel positive about the trend of their daily travels. Forty-six percent reported that their commute was better than a year earlier, while 31 percent said it was unchanged and 23 percent said it was worse.           
          Respondents who said their commute was improving cited the following reasons:  Less expensive: 30 percent Less difficult to find a parking spot: 19 percent
Public transportation is less crowded, more comfortable and more convenient: 19 percent Less traffic congestion: 17 percent
          But there wasn't agreement across the board. Twenty-two percent blamed more traffic congestion on the roads for their worsened commute. Sixteen percent said it had become more difficult to find a parking spot, while 10 percent said that public transport was more crowded, uncomfortable and inconvenient than a year earlier. 
          Half of the respondents noted that their commute was more expensive than it was a year ago. The leading reason cited for a pricier commute was the cost of fuel (34 percent), with price increases for public transport and road tolls coming in second (27 percent). Personal mobility choices also played a role in the changing costs: Some said using taxis (14 percent), taxi-hailing apps (11 percent) and car sharing services (10 percent) over cheaper options was a factor. 
          "Everywhere in the world, people face unique transportation issues that are local in nature, and the results of this survey echoed that reality," said John Larsen, director, Ford Smart Mobility, Ford Asia Pacific. "These challenges are what motivates Ford Smart Mobility, which aims to tackle global issues and provide local solutions that make a daily difference to people all over the world."
Ford Smart Mobility is the company's plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. This includes everything from Ford's in-car connectivity solution, SYNC, to the 30 global mobility experiments that have already been undertaken to gain insight into changing consumer transportation habits and preferences.
Driving Change with Ford Smart Mobility
          The driving forces behind Ford Smart Mobility are four global megatrends that are reshaping the world: explosive population growth, an expanding middle class, air quality and public health concerns, and changing customer attitudes and priorities. 
          Ford Smart Mobility includes technologies already available in Ford vehicles worldwide, and long-term research projects including autonomous vehicles, flexible ownership and car-sharing models, and wearable technologies.
          Ford has been a leader in in-car connectivity since it introduced the first generation of SYNC in 2007, which remains the most popular entertainment and communications system in the automotive industry. Coupled with SYNC AppLink, which enables drivers to control smartphone apps via voice controls, Ford vehicles help drivers stay connected to their world more than ever before – all while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
          Beyond in-car connectivity, Ford has the largest fleet of autonomous vehicles of any automaker, and is testing the technology across different climates in the United States, including recent industry-first tests in snowy conditions. Ford will also triple its engineering investment in its driver assist and semi-autonomous technologies over the next five years. Many of these technologies are already available in Ford vehicles, including Adaptive Cruise Control, Active Park Assist, Lane-Departure Warning and Lane-Keeping Aid, and Blind Spot Information System.
          "Ford Smart Mobility is about ensuring the freedom of mobility for people all over the world," said Larsen. "That means thinking about the needs of tomorrow, and working to make a smarter, more efficient future a reality for everyone."