#16. Ford SYNus – Synergizing New Paradigms of Inspiration
Source: Flickr
Every company tries to find inspiration for cars everywhere in their lives. Most ideas have been mined, but the Ford SYNus came from some rather interesting inspiration.
What Ford Was Thinking
Enter the Ford Boardroom, it’s 7 pm on a Friday night. The team has been working on figuring out a new vehicle for upcoming shows.
Ford Exec 1: Gentlemen, we’re not leaving here until we come up with an idea.
Ford Exec 2: But I need to get to the bank and deposit my mortgage cheque or I’m going to lose my house!
Ford Exec 1: That’s it!
Ford Exec 2: You want to build a car for the homeless?
Ford Exec 1: How would they pay for it? No! I want to build a car that represents a bank!
Ford Exec 2: If we agree with you, we can leave now?
Ford Exec 1: Of course.
Ford Exec 2: Of course! A bank car! It’s a place of safety and security. Okay, see you Monday.
Ford Exec 1: Throw in some kind of animal theme too. People like Animals.
The SYNus is inspired by bank vaults and armadillos. The idea was that the outside is going to be incredibly tough and strong. The inside was intended to be very plush and soft. The name itself is a play on synthesis to further induce this theme.
Source: Wikimedia
What the Public Thought
The first thing the public thought was that it would be difficult to get into the back end holding a bag of groceries. Since you need both hands to work a two-hand bank vault handle to get in. The styling made it look like it was going to be this tough thing, but it was so small. The size was probably a way to avoid making it look like a Brinks truck, but since it was the size of a Ford Fiesta, it just seemed small and odd.
