Ford SYNC may only have been launched six years ago, but it has permeated the market to the tune of 10 million vehicles since then, forever changing the connectivity experience for consumers everywhere.
“SYNC was more than just a technology breakthrough,” stated Jim Farley, Ford executive vice president of global marketing, sales and service and Lincoln, speaking at the Connected Car Expo to open the 2013 Los Angeles International Auto Show, “it has reshaped how we see ourselves as a company. Ultimately, SYNC embodies what Ford is all about – going further to turn innovative ideas into products that are affordable, attainable and valuable to millions of people.”
Ford ranks top in ABI Research’s OEN connected infotainment Competitive Assessment and is also rated high for price, innovation and implementation. Almost all Ford vehicles are equipped these days with advanced infotainment technologies.
Ford recognized in 2005 when its engineering teams started creating SYNC that digital media and cell phones were fast becoming increasingly important in the lives of customers.
Farley continued, “Now it’s clear that building an open, upgradeable connectivity platform has been key to the success of SYNC because it has allowed us to stay relevant to the consumer. With available SYNC, Ford vehicles can keep pace with the latest consumer trends through simple software updates.”
In 2007 when SYNC presented at the International CES, it launched with Palm TREO smartphone, Motorola RAZR flip-phone and Apple iPod. Just two days later Apple introduced it first iPhone. Early on in the life of smart devices, most of the time SYNC was used for basics like accessing music catalogs and hands-free calling.
Currently smartphones run on many platforms such as Android, Blackberry, iOS and Windows Phone operating systems. All of these work well with the original SYNC-equipped automobiles in addition to new capabilities like SYNC AppLink that implements voice-activated technology to make your hands-free experience even more simple.
SYNC is now available in virtually the full lines of both Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Even with 10 million cars on the road with SYNC technology, Ford is still working to build upon this already great option for customers.
Global director of connected services solutions for Ford, Doug VanDagens, had this to say: “At Ford, we’re focused on how data and connectivity can turn devices into intelligent systems that enable insight-driven action. In the vehicle, this means the ability to connect to more data from more sources and use that to help the driver. It’s our goal to turn the connected vehicle into an intelligent vehicle.”
