Two years ago, Ford finally started offering a portrait-style touchscreen in its North American models. But for years before that, the company had been putting large screens into its models destined for China.

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The latest example is the new Ford Explorer, which features a massive 23-inch wide navigation screen that spans the entire width between the center console and passenger seat. It's an impressive sight, to be sure. But it's also a reminder that Ford has been lagging behind in the tech department when it comes to its North American offerings.

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One can only wonder why that is. Perhaps Ford doesn't think that Americans care about tech as much as their Chinese counterparts. It's also possible that Ford's North American supply chain is simply lagging behind the competition. Or maybe the company is simply trying to keep costs down by avoiding the need to design two different interiors for its global market.

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Car companies have been upping their tech game in recent years, and consumers have taken notice. Ford is one of the most iconic American carmakers, so it's surprising that they haven't been more aggressive in offering the latest tech features to their customers. The Tesla Model S set a new standard for screen size, and other carmakers have followed suit by installing larger screens and removing buttons.

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Ford has the same technology available in their European models, but for some reason they haven't made the switch in North America. One can only wonder why that is.

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It's possible that they're afraid of alienating their traditional customers, but it seems like a missed opportunity to appeal to a new generation of car buyers. Perhaps Ford doesn't think that Americans care about tech as much as their Chinese counterparts.

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It's also possible that Ford's North American supply chain is simply lagging behind the competition. Or maybe the company is simply trying to keep costs down by avoiding the need to design two different interiors for its global models.

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Just a few years ago, American car consumers would have been happy with a reliable engine and a comfortable interior. But now, they demand more. They want beautiful screens and lightning-quick tech in their cars. And manufacturers are scrambling to keep up. In order to attract buyers, car companies are investing heavily in cutting-edge infotainment systems. These systems provide drivers with access to music, navigation, and other features that were once only available on smartphones.

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But as demand for these systems grows, so does the challenge of designing them. In order to create an infotainment system that is both aesthetically pleasing and easy to use, manufacturers must walk a fine line. On one hand, they need to include enough features to satisfy consumers. On the other hand, they need to avoid making the system so complex that it becomes a distraction. As the automotive market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how manufacturers meet the challenges posed by this ever-changing landscape.

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Remarkably, this isn't a question limited to just Ford in North America. Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Volkswagen....all have been offering small screens for years. Only recently have any of them made an effort to increase their screen sizes for Americans. But Ford of all companies, already HAS the tech and components for enormous screens in production. Why doesn't it make the ocean voyage?

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Whatever the reason, it's clear that none of these companies can keep offering smaller screens than the rest of the world. We've already taken notice, so give us the goods for the Explorer refresh, Ford!

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