Ford Embarks on Cyberspace Odyssey
01/07/07 New Ford President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally reached for the stars this morning at the 2007 North American International Auto Show, as he sync'd up with Microsoft President Bill Gates via satellite from the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show to introduce the partnership between Ford and Microsoft to provide wired and wireless access as an integrated automotive component.
Powered by Microsoft Auto software, "Sync" is Ford’s new, fully integrated, voice-activated in-car communications and entertainment system for mobile phones and digital music players. A Ford exclusive technology through 2008, Sync — which operates via either Bluetooth or USB technology — will be in 12 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products, including the 500 and Focus, beginning this year.
Ford President of the Americas Mark Fields said: "Seventy percent of the Ford, Mercury and Lincoln line will be all-new by the end of next year."