DUBLIN, Oct. 30, 2015 – The automotive industry and tech companies large and small can work together to transform urban mobility and improve lives in today’s connected world.
This will be the message from Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford at Web Summit in Dublin, one of the world’s leading technology gatherings. The great-grandson of Henry Ford will emphasise that collaboration between start-ups, entrepreneurs, inventors, and technology companies will be critical in coming up with new solutions for tomorrow’s biggest transportation challenges.
Ford will be interviewed on the Centre Stage by Bloomberg News broadcaster Caroline Hyde at 14:00 GMT on Nov. 3. The interview can be viewed live at the Web Summit YouTube channel.
Ahead of Web Summit, Bill Ford will meet with developers participating in a 24-hour challenge to design apps for SYNC, Ford’s voice activated, in-car connectivity system. The SYNC AppLink Developer Challenge Dublin, which starts at 09:00 GMT on Nov. 2, is organised with Web Summit and will give programmers a chance at winning €75,000 prize money and the opportunity to develop new apps with Ford.
In addition, the company is joining forces with leading advisory firm WeiserMazars to offer services worth €25,000 for winning entrants, including €20,000 to be shared between the top three places and €5,000 for fourth place. Services offered will include assistance with fundraising; consulting services; structuring services; and tax work, accounting and financial services.
Also at Web Summit, Don Butler, executive director, Ford Connected Vehicle and Services, will deliver a speech entitled: “Car Connectivity: How Software is Changing the Driving Experience.” The speech will be on the Machine Stage at 14:50 GMT on Nov. 4. Ford also will demonstrate some of the latest technology projects it is working on at its stand at Machine Summit 4.
Developer teams have until Oct. 31 to register online for AppLink Challenge Dublin at https://dublin.makeitdriveable.com/. Ford Web Summit media materials can be accessed from http://websummit2015.fordpresskits.com at 09:00 CET on Nov. 3.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 197,000 employees and 67 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 and its products worldwide, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 53,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 68,000 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 (16 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and 8 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.
