Ford Motor Company is improving its car connectivity system by making it digital through its new SYNC AppLink.
Raj Nair, group vice president at Ford’s Global Product Development, told the Wall Street Journal, “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. 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.”
Ever since Ford’s SYNC Applink’s launch in 2010, the company has added it to a wide array of products and customers worldwide, allowing car owners to access and control more than 60 smartphone iOS and Android apps through voice command.
To date, more than a million vehicles built with SYNC AppLink are moving down the road, and just before the expected additional announcements at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the company announced that another 3.4 million cars – 2010 and newer – will be able to download the technology later this year.
Aside from the in-car experience, Ford’s main goal is to employ connectivity and digital to change every aspect of the ownership experience, and to create the foundation for future mobility initiatives.
“SYNC launched a sort of connectivity arms race in the industry,” said Jim Farley, executive vice president, Global Marketing, Sales and Service and Lincoln, to WSJ. “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.”
Ford has hired automotive and telematics industry expert Don Butler to head the new SYNC Applink project. Nair, who oversees the project, told WSJ, “Not only does Don understand the connected car landscape, but probably just as important, he understands customer expectations. 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.”
