Ford Thinking Safety First

New Sync System Features Free GPS Location With 911 Assist Service

When you're in an emergency, the last thing you need to worry about is technology not cooperating.  That's why Ford's new 911 Assist option will feature a GPS locator to help emergency workers find the scene of an accident faster.  

"Ford is committed to continuously enhancing the owner experience, and SYNC is a key part of that strategy," said Doug VanDagens, director, Ford Connected Services.  "Synch 911 Assist is free for the life of the vehicle, and now we're making it perform even better.  That adds unexpected value and peace of mind for the customer." 

The SYNC system allows users to have their electronic devices such as phones and MP3 players connected to the car and controlled by voice. For a quick demo of the SYNC system, see the video below taken at West Herr Ford in Hamburg:

911 Assist with GPS will be available on most SYNC-equipped 2011 vehicles, including the Ford Taurus, Focus, Flex, Fusion, Escape and F-150; as well as the Lincoln MKS, MKZ and MKT.

What sets it apart from the competition is that it is no extra cost.  Other services in the same vain often require monthly subscription fees. 

“The new system is designed to provide coordinates through the onboard GPS receiver in addition to assisted GPS, which adds an even greater level of location accuracy,” said Dave Hatton, global product leader/electrical engineer with Ford Connected Services.  

Ford continues to look for other ways to improve the overall driver experience.  Ford representatives are currently at the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) 2010 conference in Indianapolis until June 10th.  They aim to work with NENA and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and develop future enhancements for 911 Assist.

For more information on the SYNC system visit syncmyride.com 

For new and used Ford vehicles in Buffalo, visit West Herr online today. 

Update on Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at 3:04PM by Josh Kruk

Ford SYNC is getting even more intuitive, if that's possible.  Drivers who enjoy the convenience of Ford SYNC® with Traffic, Directions & Information (TDI) soon will be able to select a destination on Google Maps and send it to their Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicles.

“Printing paper directions from a website is a relic in our digital age,” said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford Connected Services Solutions Organization.  The Send to Sync feature will ensure drivers can concentrate on driving.  While many people have smart phones today, the send to SYNCsystem takes drive time convenience to new heights. 

“Send to SYNC eliminates the waste and distraction of paper maps, conserving resources while helping drivers keep their eyes on the road," VanDagens said.

No vehicle updates are required and they will be available to all owners who have registered for TDI services through www.syncmyride.com.