11种消失的汽车功能(英汉双语版).doc

11 disappearing car features 11种消失的汽车功能 Recently, Ford (F, Fortune 500) made a surprising announcement: It is adding radio knobs to its hi-tech component control system MyFord Touch. Thats a retreat from cutting-edge to old technology -- a man-bites-dog scenario you dont often see in the auto business. And dont expect to see it any more often in the future. 最近，福特汽车公司（Ford）发布了一个让人惊讶的公告：它要在自己高科技含量极高的控制系统MyFord Touch上加装收音机旋钮。这是从必威体育精装版科技倒退到传统技术，就像“人咬狗”一样，是大家很少能在汽车业看到的新闻，以后也别指望能再发生这类事情。 Heres the background: In attempting to reduce driver distraction and get a jump on competitors, Ford had introduced a voice- and touch-screen system for audio, navigation, and other functions. But drivers found the new system confusing, and Consumer Reports issued a withering report on its functionality. So Ford decided to listen to popular concern and go backwards: It will now make it possible to control volume and frequency with the twist of a knob. Familiar and easy-to-use knobs are exceptionally good ways for drivers to control in-car entertainment systems, says Kelley Blue Books Jack Nerad. They make for less distraction and less frustration, and that translates into more convenience and improved safety. 这一举动的背景是：为了让驾驶者减少分神，同时和竞争对手一较高下，福特推出了音频、导航和其他功能的声控和触屏控制系统。但是驾驶者发现，这个新系统让人困惑，而《消费者报告》（Consumer Reports ）则发表了一份报告，对这个系统的功能大加讽刺。所以福特决定听取大家的意见，走个回头路：装个旋钮，就能控制声音和频率了。《凯利蓝皮书》（Kelley Blue Books，北美二手车行业的标杆性定价杂志——译注）的杰克?尼拉德称：“旋钮大家既熟悉，又好用，是让驾驶者控制车内娱乐系统特别好的手段。它能让人少分心，也没那么难用，这就能带来更大的方便，还能提高安全性。” Whats next? Are we going to see a return to ribbon speedometers, hub-mounted transmission buttons, or three-on-a-tree gear shifters? Not likely. In fact, the industry is moving in a different direction; many of the features that drivers of a certain age find familiar are dying out or already dead. Heres a partial list: 下一步怀旧穿越会是什么呢？是不是我们会看到各厂商纷纷采用带状速度计（ribbon speedometers），装在轮毂上的传动装置按钮（hub-mounted transmission button），或者说三档变速杆？不太可能。实际上，汽车业正在朝完全不同的方向发展。现在一定年纪的驾驶者曾经熟悉的很多功能要么正在消失，要么早已销声匿迹。下面就是其中的一部分： 1. Manual