--- title: "Ford Kills Self-Parallel Parking Feature to Save a Few Bucks" description: "Ford is removing Active Park Assist, which lets its vehicles parallel park themselves, to save costs since customers aren't using it." date: "2024-02-08" modified: "2024-02-08" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/ford-kills-self-parallel-parking-feature-to-save-a-few-bucks" categories: - "Ford News" - "News" - "News by Brand" --- # Ford Kills Self-Parallel Parking Feature to Save a Few Bucks ![]() *Ford* Remember when manufacturers were forced to remove options from their cars due to pandemic-led [chip shortages]()? Ford has decided to strike tech conveniences from its products yet again, only this time, it's getting rid of options customers don't seem to use, to save itself cash. And first on the chopping block is automatic parallel parking. Using Ford's connected vehicle data, which monitors various parameters about its cars remotely, the folks in Dearborn can see which functions are being used and how often. Doing so, [Ford]() realized that certain features that were barely used could be cut from its vehicles, saving the company a little money per unit. As it turns out, Ford's Active Park Assist—which allows its cars to [parallel park ]()themselves—isn't something customers use much at all. ![]() *You're doing this on your own from now on. *Ford** "Connected vehicle data here is very important because it helps us see what we’re providing, whether the customers are using it or not," said Ford COO Kumar Galhotra during a conference call earlier this week, according to *[Bloomberg]()*. "So one example is an auto-park feature that lets the customer parallel park automatically. Very, very few people are using it so we can remove that feature. It’s about $60 per vehicle." According to Galhotra, just cutting that one feature at $60 bucks a pop will save Ford $10 million per year. *The Drive* reached out to the company for details around the decision, as well as to find out if any other tech conveniences will be deleted for cost-saving reasons along with Active Park Assist. We'll update this story as we get more information. This might be annoying for those customers that depend on the feature to make parallel parking easier, and concerning for other Ford owners wondering what else the automaker will ditch. It's part of a broad scheme projected to save the company $2 billion, though, so it stands to reason Active Park Assist won't be the only creature comfort to disappear from the Blue Oval's cars in the not-too-distant future. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()