| Touch-screen panel of Ford’s latest MyTouch boasts improved interface, simpler graphics. |
FORD Motor Co. last week announced that it would accelerate plans to develop in-car technology in Asia as the carmaker establishes a connected services group in its Asia Pacific operations.
Ford said that the range of new vehicles it is introducing in Asia will have “increasingly sophisticated and intuitive technology that enables customers to more easily and safely access entertainment, navigation, emergency and other services” through smartphones.
“In today’s world, people want to be connected at all times, and that includes when they are in their car,” said Ed Pleet, the newly appointed director of the connected services group that will be based at Ford’s headquarters in Shanghai, China. “So Ford developed SYNC, a class-leading system that offers a smarter, safer and simpler way to connect drivers with in-car technologies and their digital lives. SYNC has already proven to be a stunning success in North America, which is why we are working hard to bring it to more customers in Asia Pacific and Africa.”
SYNC, which was first launched in North America in 2007 and showcased Ford as a pioneer in vehicle connectivity, has already been fitted in more than 3.5 million of the carmaker’s vehicles sold globally, according to Ford. It explained that SYNC is the “world’s best voice-activated connectivity system, providing a seamless integration of multiple electronic devices” that allow drivers to make hands-free calls via Bluetooth, and control in-car entertainment options such as music through voice control. The approach means drivers can keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.
In Asia Pacific, Ford said SYNC is available in China in the Ford Edge, and in the Ford Explorer in the Philippines and Japan. The system will eventually make its way in the new Ford Focus and other models in the region as part of the carmaker’s continued global roll-out of new products.
On a related note, Ford had announced earlier this year that it would bring more than 50 new vehicles and powertrains to Asia Pacific and Africa by 2015, including 15 new vehicles to China, eight new vehicles to India and eight new vehicles to Asean.
