Building on the pioneering SYNC in-car connectivity system it launched in 2007, Ford Motor Company recently announces new system investments and organizational alignments to deliver the industry’s best fully integrated connected car and digital consumer experience.
“Ford was first to bring affordable and widely available advanced connectivity features to the market starting with SYNC, putting Ford firmly on the map as a technology company,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development. “With the rapid pace of mobile and digital innovation, our goal is to move the bar yet again, leveraging emerging technologies and the flexibility of the SYNC platform to enhance the ownership experience for customers.”
Just ahead of expected additional announcements at the 2014 International CES, the world’s largest hands-on showcase of emerging innovation, Ford announces it will expand its industry-leading SYNC AppLink system to 3.4 million more vehicles currently on the road.
Since its launch in 2010, Ford has migrated SYNC AppLink to more products and customers around the world, enabling vehicle owners to access and control smartphone apps including TuneIn, NPR and iHeartRadio via voice command. More than 1-million vehicles equipped with SYNC AppLink are on the road today, and another 3.4 million vehicles – model year 2010 and newer – will be eligible to download AppLink later this year.
Currently, SYNC AppLink allows users to seamlessly control over 60 smartphone mobile apps – on both iOS and Android platforms – using the car’s voice commands, enabling drivers to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Ford is the first automaker to offer an open developer program, www.developer.ford.com, to help keep customers connected inside the vehicle and will continue to add new SYNC-enabled smartphone apps to enhance the driving experience.
Today, consumers continue to demand more personalized, simplified and integrated in-vehicle experiences. And, with consumers spending more time with digital media than with any other, Ford hopes to turn the connected vehicle into an intelligent vehicle, one that simplifies and personalizes the in-vehicle experience for the consumer.
Beyond the in-car experience, Ford’s ultimate goal is to use connectivity and digital to transform every aspect of the ownership experience, and to build the foundation for future mobility initiatives. With the eventual proliferation of embedded telematics capabilities for Ford Motor Company’s SYNC system, as recently announced on Lincoln MKC, a newly aligned organization will manage connectivity across the entire enterprise.
“SYNC launched a sort of connectivity arms race in the industry,” said Jim Farley, executive vice president, Global Marketing, Sales and Service and Lincoln. “The opportunity is much bigger than just in-car technology – it’s now about connecting the vehicle to a larger ecosystem leveraging ‘the Internet of things.’ We are creating a seamless and immersive experience for customers that begins with their first visit to our digital sites and continues throughout their ownership experience.”
“Not only does Don understand the connected car landscape, but probably just as important, he understands customer expectations,” said Nair. “Having a leader with technology experience both inside and outside the industry is a rare combination – we’re excited to have Don join our team.”
In the newly created position of executive director, Connected Vehicle and Services, Butler is responsible for Ford’s global integrated connectivity vision and strategy. He will lead development of a near-, mid- and long-term plan, with the goal of delivering a best-in-class customer experience both inside and outside of the vehicle.
As part of Ford’s plan to deliver a fully integrated connected car experience, the Connected
Vehicle and Services group will work with the newly created Global Digital Marketing organization to help accelerate the goal of connecting customers to their vehicles.
“We remain laser-focused on creating connected experiences our customers want and value, providing solutions specifically tailored to their individual needs and to market conditions,” said Farley.