Ford reports it has sold the 4 millionth vehicle equipped with Sync, the in-car connectivity system powered by Microsoft. Launching globally this year, Ford Sync is forecasted to reach 9 million new customers around the world in the next three years. “SYNC has been a transformational technology not only for Ford, but for the industry,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president for Global Product Development. “SYNC has been integral to keeping pace with the consumer, delivering value through a constant flow of new features that keep them connected to their digital lives in a safer, simpler and smarter way while driving.”

  Since first introduced in late 2007, Sync has  grown to provide customers even more value, with no additional cost such as 911 Assist, which connects drivers directly with 911 operators after an accident.  Ford’s SYNC Services launched in 2009, providing voice-activated access to a cloud-based network of information including traffic, news, sports, weather, horoscopes, stock quotes and movie listings along with business searches and turn-by-turn directions.

 Ford’s open platform approach to mobile device connectivity has helped SYNC stand out in the industry, allowing for continuous improvement of the user experience and the addition of new features. “Listening to customers and monitoring consumer trends has helped make SYNC a ‘must-have’ technology,” said Kuzak. “We will continuously improve SYNC based on customer feedback with the availability of software updates and upgrades.”

  Ford internal research has found that customers who bought 2011 models of Ford vehicles view Sync  as a must-have technology and purchase the system 82 percent of the time. Also, more than 80 percent of Sync users said they are likely to recommend the system to others.

 “Sync has allowed us to create the upgradeable car,” said Kuzak. “With the Sync platform inside the car, offering our owners updates will be very similar to what they experience with their smart phones and laptops,” he said. By Joseph Szczesny