Ford Sync Integrates Entertainment, Communication Technologies
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Ford Motor Company brings the all-new Ford Sync™ technology to market this fall. Sync is a better, more convenient and innovative way to use mobile entertainment and communication devices on the road.
Ford and Microsoft Corp. have teamed to offer Sync in the 2008 Focus and 11 other 2008 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles.
"It was a very small, passionate group that took a great idea and pushed it to production in a very short amount of time," said Gary Jablonski, manager, Vehicle Telematics. Ford saw a need for this type of technology as cell phones and portable digital music have become more prevalent, he said.
Sync allows users to integrate their Bluetooth-enabled phones and most digital music players, including Apple iPods, Microsoft Zunes, and other MP3 players, and most USB storage devices into their Ford vehicles for hands-free, voice-activated use.
Ford research shows that more than 70 percent of new car buyers say they want the ability to use digital media players in their cars.
"We want Sync to be as widely available as possible," said Jablonski. "We're putting it into Ford Focus first. We believe that younger customers tend to use cell phones and iPods more, and we are targeting them. They represent a huge audience that will want this in their cars. We're offering Sync at a price (U.S. $395) that we feel will get Focus on their shopping lists."
Jablonski also noted that while younger...Full Story
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2008 Ford Focus demonstrates Ford's commitment to small cars
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Redesigned from the inside out, the 2008 Ford Focus brings a bold new look, a modern interior and a high level of driving enjoyment to the small car segment. Joining the new Focus four-door sedan is, for the first time, ever a sporty two-door coupe, which is designed to attract new and younger buyers to a growing small car market.
Ford is renewing its commitment to...Full Story
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European Ford Focus
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There's a new Ford Focus for 2005. Oh, but you already knew that-we, in fact, tested a ZX4 ST in the July '04 issue. Well, that's the model that will be sold in the U.S. (It's the original car with a few cosmetic and specification adjustments.) On the other hand, Europe gets a truly new Focus that we won't see here.
There are two reasons why we aren't getting the all-new Focus, and they both have to do with money. First, the new European Focus has grown and moved upmarket. The larger platform it is built on, dubbed C1, is shared with the Mazda 3 and Volvo S40 and V50. Aside from the boost in size, the Euro Focus has more technical features and a better-quality interior. The jump in class would force the Focus out of its economy caste in this market. Second, the original Focus made its U.S. debut two years after it had been in European showrooms; thus, the current American Focus has completed only a portion of its life cycle.
Ford engineers admit that the first-generation Focus is a difficult act to follow. Its dynamics have been praised on both sides of the Atlantic—the Focus is a five-time 10Best winner—and even in its...Full Story
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Ford Focus, Ranger Score Low in Rollover Tests
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The 2005 Ford Focus two-door and Ranger 4x4 pickup were rated among the worst performers of 10 vehicles subjected to new government crash and rollover tests, The Associated Press reported.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Focus three out of five stars for driver's side protection and four out of five stars for rear passenger protection. The agency said the rear passenger was at risk of serious injury when the Focus was hit in the side in a 38.5 mph test. The Focus was tested without side air bags, which are a $350 option on the vehicle.
A five-star rating means the likelihood of serious injury in a similar crash is 5 percent or less; three stars means the likelihood is 11 to 20 percent.
The Ranger 4x4 and its corporate twin, the Mazda B-series 4x4, earned two stars in NHTSA's rollover ratings, the lowest of the 10 2005 pickups tested.
NHTSA said the Ranger and the B-series have a 30.6 percent chance of rolling over in a crash. The ratings consider the vehicle's height and weight and its performance in a 35 to 50 mph test with a sharp turn, the story said.
The 2005 Subaru Outback, which NHTSA classifies as an SUV, was the only vehicle that earned five stars on all front and side-impact tests. The Outback was tested with its side air bags since they are standard.
The 2005 Chrysler 300 and its corporate twin, the Dodge Magnum, earned five stars on the 35 mph frontal crash test and the rear...Full Story
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