Ford Shows Off Newest "Ford Sync" In-car Technology Features

Since 2007 the Ford Motor Company has implemented the voice activated Ford Sync in-car technology on select models. Now the company is showing off the technology's newest features at the International Consumer Electronics Show and speaking of plans to go global with the technology starting in 2010.

The Ford Sync, which was developed by Microsoft, enables drivers to do things like play music from portable music devices and make hands-free phone calls utilizing the technology of a Bluetooth headset. Now starting this spring, Ford Sync will use GPS technology built into the cars that will allow its users to access news, sports, weather, turn by turn directions and information on local businesses. Ford says that the improved Ford Sync technology will be free for three years and will be included in almost all 2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. Ford will work with retailer Best Buy to help build awareness of the technology and use Best Buy's Geek Squad for technical support (source: washingtonpost.com).

Additionally Ford announced its intentions to take the Ford Sync technology worldwide starting in 2010. The company said it will begin with a roll out into Europe with the Ford Sync technology accepting 10 languages across the region. Ford then plans to roll out the technology to Asia and then to other places like Australia (source: washingtonpost.com).

The advancement in the Ford Sync technology comes at a time when the automakers are struggling severely and doing anything they can to draw in buyers. But Ford has stuck to its guns and says it will not take any government bailout funds, such as rival automakers General Motors and Chrysler are doing, unless sales don't recover in 2009. Ford is hoping that the new features of the Ford Sync will entice people to come into the showrooms for test drives which will hopefully lead to sales. Ford is trying to appeal to the masses as not only a car company but as a car company on the cutting edge of the latest and greatest in technology (source: washingtonpost.com).

It will be interesting to see if the added features to the Ford Sync technology will be enough to get consumers to buy again. While the new features are sure to help, they do not erase the fact that the country as a whole is in a rough economic state. But with the expansion to other countries starting in 2010, Ford may just be able to save itself from having to dip into the cookie jar of the government bailout and possible save the company itself.