We fully expect Ford to show plenty of new hard and software at this year's CES. The first step is the company's announcement that Sync will be available in even more vehicles - up to 85% of their fleet. 2009 model year cars that will now offer Sync include the Ford Flex, F-150, Escape, Escape Hybrid, Expedition as well as the Lincoln MKS and Navigator.
But Ford execs say customers want even more connectivity so the company is also launching the Sirius powered Travel Link. The service will include real time traffic info tied into the car's nav system, weather reports and forecasts, local fuel prices, sports scores and schedules plus movies listings...
Seriously, all this In a Ford? If this is their pre-CES announcement, we can't wait to see what they have when the actual show gets underway. - Brian Moody, Road Test Editor
estreka says:
08:00 PM, 01/ 3/08
I've been really impressed with Ford's forward thinking with all this technology integration. They really seem to be on the cutting edge (a product, I'm sure, of their relationship with Microsoft).
Now if the rest of the product were as intensely thought out...
briancam says:
10:07 PM, 01/ 3/08
Yes, Ford has gone from being a backmarker to a front runner in a very short period of time.
As for the cars, it's getting harder and harder to find a toad. Like the name or not, the Taurus is fine as is the Focus, Edge and especially the Fusion.
roar02ram says:
06:49 AM, 01/ 4/08
Umm, with all this talk about Sync, did somebody include an overhaul of that nasty corporate radio w/the '80s green microwave numerals? I sure hope so.
mirth says:
11:19 AM, 01/ 4/08
Yeah, I think the "brick" radio will be phased out.
redliner says:
11:22 AM, 01/ 4/08
roar02ram
You beat me to the comment.
They will probably continue to offer an "ugly" radio unless you upgrade to the Synk system.
briancam says:
11:34 AM, 01/ 4/08
The 80s microwave numbers and letters are now blue. Nav equipped cars will fare much better.
ateixeira says:
12:33 PM, 01/ 4/08
So they spent the R&D money on Sync rather than giving us the new Focus?
This is fine, but spend the money on the core product first. The Focus platform is 7+ years old. Embarassing this day and age.
briancam says:
09:37 PM, 01/ 4/08
Drive the new Corolla and you won't think the Focus is such a joke.
Check back Sunday night - Sync's new features are right on the money. It's time and money well spent.