Tech Integration: A Ford Standard

Bluetooth and App Integration To Come Standard In Certain Ford Vehicles

Ford wants drivers to have full access to the best technology while also maintaining the highest degree of safety.  

With that in mind, it's no surprise that Cnet is reporting Ford will make it's Sync system more widely available.  So this means Bluetooth and app integration a standard feature on their 2013 Fusion and Flex vehicles.  

As you know, we're big fans of the Ford Sync and have covered it immensely on here.  

"With this latest generation of Sync, users can control the system without having to learn nearly as many commands or navigate as many menus," said Brigitte Richardson, Ford global voice control technology and speech systems lead engineer.

Now, all those benefits will come standard.  How great is that?

The app integration means you will be able to use voice commands to skip songs on Pandora or change stations on Stitcher when your phone is paired to the system. Other benefits of Sync include 911 Assist and Sync Destinations.

To check out Ford and Ford Sync around Buffalo, visit West Herr Ford in Hamburg or Amherst! 

The Quietest Ride Of All

Ford Engineers Creating A Nearly Noise-Free Cabin 

We all have different values in a car:  some of us want speed, room, or safety.  Some people value a nice quiet ride.  In certain situations, don't we all value that a little?  

If you're looking for a quiet cabin, then the new Ford Escape could be for you.  Multiple outlets have described it as "exceptionally quiet."  

How are they doing it?  Through a new mirror tool they use in testing..  The elliptical shaped mirror looks like a satellite dish with a microphone, used to improve acoustics and decrease wind noise.  High tech stuff.  

"The mirror identifies 'hot spots' where noise penetrates the interior of the vehicle, allowing drivers to listen to music or conversation inside the car instead of external noises," the company said in a press release.

With the use of this technology, the Escape now sports a new shape designed to be optimally quite. The tuning work on the A-pillar, for example, helps ensure better noise performance in crosswind situations.

See?  As per usual, Ford thought of everything.  If you'd like to check out the Ford Escape, visit West Herr Ford in Hamburg or Amherst!  

Monitor Your Health As Your Drive

Ford To Take Sync Capabilities Into The Health Realm 

So the Ford Sync has shown it can seamlessly merge hands free calling, audio and other basic functions in a safe manner.   Ford is looking to take Sync's capabilities even further.  

Ford is looking to partner with medical companies to bring medical monitoring to vehicles.  Specifically, they will take aim at diabetes, asthma and hypoglycemia monitoring.  

The diabetes monitoring would happen through a Bluetooth-enabled device that actually connects to the driver.  It would monitor glucose levels and send instant alerts if levels got too extreme.  

The asthma monitoring system is a little more complicated. Ford is launching AppLink, a large system of in-car apps.  The app will gather pollen levels in the area and submit the info to the driver.  There's also talk of another app for real-time solutions to health ailments as well.  

These apps are still being developed and may not see the market for a bit.  Still, it's interesting to see Ford taking in car entertainment in this direction.  Stay tuned for what they come up with next! 

If you want a demo of Ford Sync, visit West Herr Ford in Amherst or Hamburg!

Tech and Fuel Efficiency: The New Fusion

New Ford Fusion Set To Be Tops In It's Class

The 2013 Ford Fusion is here.  Beyond it's sleek new design, the features and options will be what makes this vehicle stand out.  Given how much our customers loved the recent Fusion models, we're excited to see how Ford will top themselves.  

“Our vision for Fusion was clear – deliver the very best of what One Ford stands for,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of Global Product Development.   

Just what are those elements?  Kuzak continues:

 “We brought our global teams together around a blank slate with the charge to develop a midsize car with groundbreaking design and jaw-dropping fuel economy – one that featured technologies to help make our customers safer and better drivers. This car is the result.”

The technologies he's referring to include a Lane Keeping System (we've covered this one), adaptive cruise control, active park assist and My Ford Touch. All good stuff.  

The Fusion will also feature incredible fuel efficiency.  Customers can choose from Fusion’s widest-ever portfolio of fuel-efficient powertrains including EcoBoost, hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines; automatic and manual transmission offerings; and auto start stop technology.

This is all very exciting.  If you need more inforation or want to sit in a current Fusion model, visit West Herr Ford in either Hamburg or Amherst.  

A Parent's Dream, A Kid's Nightmare

Ford's My Key Techology Will Help Parents Adjust Teens' Drving 

Here's something a teenage driver won't want to hear:  new technology will allow parents to monitor their drving without even being in the car.  

That's right.  Ford's new MyKey system lets parents pre-program a master key that sets various limits on the vehicle. Top speed settings can be limited, with warnings beeping at 70, 90 or 100kph. Failure to fasten seatbelts can also activate a chime and mute the audio system.

Right now, this technology will only be available in Europe with 2012 Ford Fiestas.  We'll see if it makes its way across the pond.  

"We feel MyKey would allow parents to tailor the vehicles performance to help their children drive more safely and more fuel efficiently without taking away their independence," said Pim van der Jagt, managing director of the company's Aachen research centre.

MyKey also reminds young drivers of low fuel levels sooner than would otherwise be the case.

Interesting stuff.  We'll see if technology like this pops up in the US.  If we hear, we'll let you know.  

Lane Drifting Avoidance

Ford Fusion and Others To Add Significant Safety Addition 

A safety concept normally found only in luxury cars is soon making it's way to mainstream sedans with some help from Ford engineers.

Ford announced that the new Fusion, which is set to debut in a few weeks, will offer a lane departure alert system as part of it's new safety features.  If you've  never heard of this concept, read on as it is definitely a game changer in the way of safety.  

Basically, lane departure systems will warn drivers, especially drowsy ones, if their vehicles wander out of their lane. A digital camera mounted on the windshield ahead of the rear-view mirror keeps a watch.

If you do drift out of your lane, the system not only causes the steering wheel to vibrate if it senses an unintentional lane departure, it will also steer the car back into the right lane.

"Fusion's Lane Keeping System combines a digital imaging sensor with our own state-of-the-art control software to process images and determine what level of warning or assistance to provide to the driver," said Michael Kane, Ford development engineer. "We've put a lot of effort into ensuring the accuracy of the lane detection and the smoothness of the assist."

Ford hopes they will counter traffic accidents associated with drowsy drivers. Check out these alarming statistics reported by USA Today:

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 100,000 police-reported crashes occur every year as a result of drowsy drivers, leading to 1,500 deaths, 71,000 injuries and $12.5 billion in monetary losses.

Ford: That Smell

Carmaker Looking Into A New Type of Branding

People love new car smell, but what if there was a smell that was tied to specific cars?  Much like a design or handling feature, Ford is looking at ways to make their vehicles distinct.  Instead of the standard ways, they're looking to appealing to drivers' olfactory senses. 

Ford is on a mission to identify that certain scent that will become part of Ford's brand around the world. The company wants every car it makes to look, feel and even smell like a Ford.

"Our ultimate goal is to find a scent that produces a sense of well-being inside a Ford," Derrick Kuzak, Ford's VP for global product development, recently told Forbes.com.   While Kuzak acknowledged that some might say this is extreme, he believes that attention to detail is key to customer satisfaction. 

Ford has appointed a "smell panel" of five engineers to sift through odors and determine the "Ford scent."  The engineers assess odors emitted by anything found in a car; floor mats, seats fabrics, air bag covers and much more.  How's that for a job?The "smell jury"

Ford is also considering the regional and multi cultural implications of smell branding.  They've even assigned Linda Scmalz from their body interior materials engineering to look into odor differences across regions.

"What smells bad to us does not always smell bad to people in other parts of the world," Schmalz says.

With automakers constantly offering customizable options, imagine the implications of this smell branding.  Customer may, at some point, be able to choose a smell for their own car.  But lets not get ahead of ourselves.

Before Ford figures out their smell of choice, come by West Herr Ford of Hamburg or Amherst for the latest and best Ford products. 

The Sounds of Electric Vehicles

Facebook Fans Will Determine The Sound of Ford Focus Electric 

You've heard of focus groups, well Ford is moving that concept to the digital sphere.  If you take part, you'll be able to hear your contribution in the Ford Focus electric.  

Ford wants to know what you think the Ford Focus electric should sound like. Visit their Facebook page and you can choose from 1 of 4 sounds.

Why such a focus on sound?  Hybrids were too quiet.  A law enacted last January requires cars that are too quiet, such as hybrids and electric vehicles, to have some sort of artificial noise generator.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is in the process of clarifying the quality of noise the cars should make, and when it should be in operation.

Listen to the sounds, a few of the sounds are a little crazy.  One even sounds like a spaceship type of thing.  

If you want to weigh in, visit the Ford Facebook page.  

Google Plus Ford

Automaker The First Consumer Brand on New Social Network

So like us you've probably heard the buzz about Google's new social network, Google Plus.  I'm on there and must say it could definitely stick around.  Well, so far no business or brands are on there.  Well except for Ford.    

Yes, Ford was the first official consumer brand to make their way onto Google Plus.  It only makes sense, given that they were named "Marketer of the Year" by Ad Age last year.  Turns out they're embracing the "social" part of social media heavily.  

They already had a photo caption contest and asked for specific feedback.  They asked "what do YOU want from US?"  Who WOULDN'T want to hear/see that from their brand.  

That's not all, they actually are scheduling a hangout, which is essentially a video conference, with their Director of Marketing Communications.  Talk about transparency.  

So far, the site had 1,222 followers as of Saturday morning.  That number should only grow as the network itself continues to grow.  

So give Ford a visit and tell them what you'd like to see. Google Plus wont be open to all businesses for a little while, but when it is you better believe we will be on there.   

Robots, Lasers and Quiet Cabins

Ford Adding New Technology to Production Lines

Ford has always been an innovator, and now they want to make your ride even more quiet and pleasant.  The automaker has invested $100 million in robot laser technology aimed specifically at quieter car cabins.

"Ford's robotic laser technology gives us a degree of precision like never before," said Ron Ketelhut, chief engineer, Body Construction Engineering.

The laser technology make it easier to attach doors and other large panels to vehicles. A tighter fit equals less cabin noise, Ford said.  Plus, the machines will help reduce human error in assembly.  

The new laser inspection will be used at the at Michigan Assembly Plant and the Saarlouis, Germany, plant, both plants build the 2012 Ford Focus. And then at the Chicago Assembly Plant, which builds the 2012 Ford Explorer.  The technology will also be used in production for the Focus.  

So as usual, Ford has some cool stuff going on.  Stay tuned for the latest news and may your ride be quieter!