Ford has announced the pricing for it’s new Sync system that was co-developed with Microsoft. Ford Sync offers the ability to connect digital media players such as the iPod and Bluetooth cell phones to your car, which then can be controlled using your voice and steering wheel mounted controls.
The first Ford vehicles to get the Sync option will be the 2008 Ford Focus, the 2008 Ford Edge, 2008 Lincoln MKX, and the 2008 Explorer. Eventually it will be offered on all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles.
The price for the system is $395 on Ford and Mercury vehicles, but it is free on any Lincoln vehicle.
$395 is very cheap compared to how much some other automakers charge for similar systems.
PRESS RELEASE
DEARBORN, Mich., August 9, 2007 – Ford Motor Company today confirmed the distribution and pricing strategy of Ford Sync, an advanced in-car communication and entertainment system developed in collaboration with Microsoft. Sync will be standard on Lincoln vehicles and widely available on Ford and Mercury vehicles. In most cases, Sync will be included as standard equipment on high-series models from Ford and Mercury – the Ford Edge Limited or Ford Focus SES, for example. On models where Sync is optional, it will be priced at $395.
“Consumer reaction to Sync has been extremely positive since our launch earlier this year,” says Cisco Codina, Ford’s group vice president of North America Marketing, Sales and Service. “This positive reaction has convinced us to make the system widely available across our range of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products. The simplicity and capability of Sync have tremendous appeal and the affordability we are confirming today is certain to drive ever greater interest.”
Sync is a Ford-exclusive technology based on Microsoft Auto software which provides consumers the convenience and flexibility to bring digital media players – Apple iPods, Microsoft Zunes, and other MP3 players – and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones into their vehicle and operate the devices via voice commands or with the vehicle’s steering wheel or radio controls. Simply stated: with Sync, consumers are able to use their voice to command their digital media players and Bluetooth mobile phones.
Sync is an on-board computer platform loaded with software that seamlessly integrates the vehicle with today’s popular portable electronic devices. Since it is a software-based system, it is updatable and should be able to support the devices and services of tomorrow.
“Drivers want a simple solution to stay connected to the information, entertainment and people most important to them while on the road,” said Velle Kolde, product manager of Microsoft’s Automotive Business Unit. “Ford Sync, based on the Microsoft Auto software platform, is an updatable, smart and convenient solution for connecting your car with your life.”
Demand for In-Car Connectivity is on the Rise
According to research firm IDC (www.IDC.com), the popularity of digital media players continues to grow. A survey in 2006 found nearly 25 percent of U.S. households had at least one media player and ownership among younger consumers was even higher: nearly 60 percent of people aged 18 to 24 owned at least one.
In a related trend, Ford research indicates that over 70 percent of new car buyers are now looking for the ability to use digital media players in their new cars.
Likewise, mobile phone use is commonplace in North America. There are more than 200 million mobile phones in the U.S., according to the Consumer Electronics Association. More mobile phones than ever are Bluetooth enabled. Bluetooth wireless technology is a short-range communications mechanism that replaces traditional cable connections for portable devices. Using Bluetooth technology, Ford Sync can seamlessly connect to a user’s mobile phone while it is in the vehicle.
According to the Bluetooth SIG, the special-interest group that manages the Bluetooth protocol, the top-selling phones of all major U.S. carriers have been Bluetooth enabled since 2006 and approximately 70 percent of new mobile phones sold today are Bluetooth enabled.
Ford Sync Becomes Widely Availability
Sync will be available on nearly all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products within two years. The launch will begin this fall, initially with the Ford Focus, Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX. By the end of the year, Sync will be standard or available on the following 2008 model-year vehicles:
Ford Edge
Mercury Sable
Lincoln MKX
Ford Explorer
Mercury Milan
Lincoln MKZ
Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Mercury Mountaineer
Ford Focus
Ford Fusion
Ford Taurus
Ford Taurus X
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 260,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com.