What the F?

There are certain things in life that you think “Why in the F did they do that?” One such thing struck me today after passing a Saturn Ion. Apparently Saturn has adopted the center instrument gauge cluster idea. What is the point of this? I believe Toyoyta started this a couple years ago on one of their “Speck” cars. Is it just to be different? Do up and comers think it is cool to have the passengers be able to read the speedometer? I mean why would you put the instrument cluster anywhere except IN FRONT of the person driving the vehicle???? Some of the stupidest engineering I have seen in recent automotive history. Of course auto engineers also thought the Pacer was a futuristic vehicle.