WHILE the Chairman of Ford has of late been elaborating on his pet theory that Asian motor manufacturers, especially the free-spending and ambitious Koreans are not only a threat to the American and European motor industry but are also undermining Western standards of living, presumably by taking jobs away from the once economically impregnable West, he has not forgotten a golden rule. While it is tactically necessary to warn your people of the consequences of unfettered competition from the arrivistes, you must also never let your own guard down.

Proceeding therefore on the dictum that attack is the best form of defence, the Ford organisation has taken a number of far-seeing and substantial measures to stay ahead of the Eastern threat.

Fords most ingenious stroke has been their future cars for the elderly. Who are generally written off as an extinct species with little or no economic clout in the face of evidence to the contrary. People are living longer and have sizeable disposable funds in private pensions and interests from their investments.

Ford took the trouble to research the field and the world's largest manufacturer has come up with a special version of the great American favourite, the Oldsmobile, tailor made for senior citizens who have hung up their driving gloves because some of their faculties have been impaired.

The Ford Wrinkly, as it has been unfairly dubbed by the lighter-headed, obtuse and disrespectful sections of the media is part of a range of cars designed for the over-sixties, to enable them to re-experience the pleasures of motoring. Some very sophisticated technology has been commandeered to help senior suffering from poor eyesight, restricted movement and slower reactions to drive safely and with confidence.

The new cars for the over 60s will have seats that swivel electronically to allow drivers to get in and out easily, magnified rear-view mirrors and radar-assisted parking. Hand brakes, which are often the bane of many older drivers, will be replaced with a button. Instruments will be made larger and clearer and controls will no longer require the energy of youth.

The innovations for what is virtually a revolution that will do much to restore the pride of the senior citizens, dealing a smart blow to ageist prejudice, are set to be standard on cars in the next 15 years. While other manufacturers will no doubt follow in Ford footsteps, the world's largest car manufacturer, with many firsts to its credit will add yet another first to its long line of illustrious achievements.

Ford talked to scores of elderly motorists about their driving problems. In their search for answer young researchers wore specially designed spectacles to simulate poor eyesight and elasticised body suits to restrict movement. The engineers also introduced a driving simulator with artificial delays to mimic older people's slower reactions.

Dean Southwell, a |Ford project leader, said the motor industry had neglected older drivers for too long. "Many elderly people simply give up driving because they find it too difficult, or feel they are no longer safe behind the wheel," he said. "These innovations will help them."

This is exciting news for Britain's growing number of elderly drivers. The Automobile Association says there are 8m drivers aged 55-plus, an increase of 2m in the past decade. There may well be llm in six years."It is long overdue," was the verdict of Stirling Moss, the former racing driver, who had just celebrated his 66th birthday. "Anything that makes a driver's life easier is a good idea."

"This is another sign ofthe growing power of the grey pound," said Sue Flook of Age Concern. "It is good to see a powerful company taking the needs of the elderly into consideration. This will take off in a big way."

Ford, which also owns Jaguar, a marque traditionally popular with older drivers, said the innovations could eventually be incorporated in all its cars. "Although designed with the needs of older people in mind, many of the changes we have come up with will be welcomed by drivers of all ages," said Brian Bennett, a spokesman.

Among other planned changes are "head-up displays", which project details of speed and mileage on to the windscreen, where they can be clearly seen but do not interfere with the road ahead. Radar fitted to the rear of the car will help in parking, with lights on the dashboard and an alarm to warn the driver that he is getting too close to the vehicle behind. Top-of-the-range models may even be able to park themselves.

The shape of the cars of the future will also alter, with a higher roof, lower door sill and bigger doors. The boot will be flatter and shallower so that people with had backs do not have to lift luggage so high.

Windows will have more glass and narrower pillars to cut down on blind spots. Mirrors will be bigger and fitted with magnifying glass insets and prisms to widen the angle of view. Windscreens will be polarised to cut down glare, a cause of many accidents involving the over-sixties.

Edward Newsom, who at 104 is Britain's oldest driver, welcomed the new development. He has been driving Fords for more than 80 years and said the new models would be worlds away from his first car, a Model T, purchased in 1912. "The car makers haven't really altered anything in years," he said. "These are the first steps in the right direction. It's amazing what science can do."