BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 24, 2014 – Ford Motor Company today demonstrated its SYNC 2 system for the first time in Europe, which allows drivers to control their in-car systems using simple, natural voice commands and a new high-resolution eight-inch colour touch screen.
The SYNC 2 features in the new Focus, unveiled today at the Mobile World Congress make it easier to control the car’s entertainment system, climate control, satellite navigation and linked mobile devices using voice commands. Following customer feedback, SYNC 2 also features simplified, sleek dashboard controls.
Simply pushing the voice control button and saying “I’m hungry” will bring up a list of local restaurants. If your need for food is less urgent, you can use the MICHELIN guide to choose a restaurant. SYNC 2 will connect you by phone to the restaurant to book a table and then guide you there.
Entering a navigation address is also simplified. Rather than reciting the address in stages, you can say the full address at once, and SYNC 2 will bring up directions. For points of interest, you don’t even need an address – simply say “Buckingham Palace” or “Bernabeu Stadium”. Landmarks are shown on screen in 3D, as are major junctions.
If you’re hot, say “Max AC” to cool down quickly, or be more specific by saying “Temperature 20 degrees”.
Plug in your MP3 device and you can hear the music you want simply by asking SYNC 2 to play the artist or track you want. There’s no need to recite a string of commands. Cover art is also displayed on screen with compatible players.
“We have developed SYNC 2 so it is simple and intuitive for drivers to use, and it seamlessly switches between touch screen and voice commands,” said Pim van der Jagt, executive technical leader, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering. “Drivers will be able to control more in-car systems than ever before, while keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.”
SYNC 2 will debut in Europe on the new Focus and will then be introduced on the new Mondeo later in 2014, as well as the new Mustang when it is launched in 2015.
The first SYNC system for Europe was announced at the 2012 Mobile World Congress, and has since been made available for models including B-MAX, Fiesta, Kuga, Focus ST and Transit; offering the ability to read aloud incoming SMS text messages from mobile phones, and compatibility with a variety of digital music players. SYNC is available in nine European languages, including English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, Turkish, Dutch, and Russian.
For further information on Ford at Mobile World Congress 2014 please follow this link http://mwc2014.fordpresskits.com
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 181,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 47,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 69,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (15 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and nine unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.
