Bare-bones Ford Explorer celebrates women

No heater. No windshield wipers. No turn signals or brake lights. No GPS.

All are missing from the Ford Explorer “Men’s Only Edition.” Not because Ford Motor Co. is cutting corners — or thinks men don’t use turn signals anyway — but rather to spotlight the many indispensable vehicle features invented by women.

To mark International Women’s Day last week and Women’s History Month in March, Ford created a satirical ad narrated by actor Bryan Cranston, who does many of the company’s commercial voiceovers.

“For the first time ever, we’ve completely reimagined the automobile,” Cranston says in the video. “Introducing the Men’s Only Ford Explorer, with no windshield wipers, no heater, no turn signals. Wait, no rearview mirror, no GPS — are you kidding? Ah, it’s missing all the parts created by women. Wow, whose great idea was that?”

Ford plans to use its website and social media accounts throughout March to recognize the automotive achievements of female innovators. They include Hedy Lamarr, who developed the communication system used in cellular technology, Wi-Fi and GPS; Florence Lawrence, who created brake and turn signals; Dorothy Levitt, who came up with the rearview mirror; Gladys West, whose work led to the modern-day GPS; and Dorothee Pullinger, whose Galloway Motors used an all-female factory to make vehicles designed specifically for women.