2013 Ford Flex Brochure

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Download the 2013 Ford Flex Brochure Here (PDF)

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2013 Ford Taurus Brochure

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Here is the 2013 Ford Taurus Brochure

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2013 Ford Mustang Brochure

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Here is the 2013 Ford Mustang Brochure

Download the 2013 Ford Mustang Brochure Here (PDF)

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2013 Ford Edge Brochure

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Here is the 2013 Ford Edge Brochure

Download the 2013 Ford Edge Brochure Here (PDF)

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2013 Ford Explorer Brochure

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Here is the 2013 Ford Explorer Brochure

Download the 2013 Ford Explorer Brochure Here (PDF)

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Faster, Simpler, Better: MyFord Touch Upgrade Provides New and Existing Customers Enhancements and New Features

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• Ford will launch performance upgrades and new features for MyFord Touch^® beginning with 2013 models – no-charge upgrade will be available to existing owners
• Simpler graphics, faster touch-screen response and easier-to-use controls are among the many enhancements to the voice-activated in-car connectivity system

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 7, 2011 – Ford customers said MyFord Touch^® could be faster and feature simpler graphics that are easier to use and that’s exactly what Ford plans to deliver with a broad set of performance upgrades to the system – launching first on the new 2013 Ford Escape, Flex and Taurus.

The new touch-screen interface features new simpler graphics and controls that are easier to use. Customers will experience significantly faster touch-screen response times, one of the top requests from owners.

Available early next year – and offered at no charge to existing MyFord Touch owners – the software upgrade enhances the ownership experience as it was developed by listening and responding to customer feedback.

“SYNC^® has clearly been a game-changing technology and now we’re changing the game again, showing how quickly we can deliver more of what customers really want,” said Graydon Reitz, director, Ford Global Electronics and Electrical Systems Engineering. “Our strategy to create the SYNC software platform and add the customizable screens of MyFord Touch gives us a level of flexibility and speed to respond to customer input like never before seen in the auto industry.”

The new touch-screen interface features simpler graphics and controls that are easier to use. Customers will also experience significantly faster touch-screen response times, one of the top requests from owners.

New features include support for tablet devices and Audible.com audiobooks, improved navigation maps and enhanced voice recognition interaction.

Listening to customers

Since MyFord launched last fall, Ford has held four customer clinics in which hundreds of owners talked directly to Ford engineers about their experiences with the new technology. Owner feedback was clear and consistent, revealing that MyFord Touch was a key purchase reason.

A survey of 2011 Ford Edge owners shows that four of the top seven purchase reasons were elements of the MyFord Touch system: the touch screen, steering wheel controls, voice recognition and dashboard styling.

While owners reported that they love the system, there were distinct areas where they wanted improvements. Earlier this year, Ford started delivering on their requests, beginning with more instructions and information on how to best utilize the capabilities of the system.

Ford launched two programs modeled after what consumers experience when purchasing a new electronic device. First, the company added a new MyFord Touch owner support website featuring how-to videos at www.syncmyride.com. Second, free “SYNC My Ride” personalized training sessions for new owners are now offered through Ford dealers – scheduled at customers’ convenience.

“The keys to continuous improvement are simple: Listen, learn and respond. That’s how we’re going to keep our customers happy,” said Gary Jablonski, manager, SYNC Platform Development. “Evolving the software with meaningful enhanced features was part of our plan from the very beginning. It’s no different than the experience with our smartphones and laptop computers – except now, it’s your car that gets better.”

Upgrade your ride

All of the new improvements will be offered to existing owners of MyFord Touch-equipped vehicles, including the 2011 and 2012 models of Ford Explorer and Edge and the 2012 Focus. Owners of 2011 and 2012 Lincoln MKX crossovers will also receive the upgrade for their MyLincoln Touch^™ systems.

“We’re seizing the opportunity to continuously improve the Ford ownership experience, and revolutionize what it means to own a car,” said Reitz. “Introducing new technology is only one step in our journey to become known as a technology company. Consistently improving it based on what our customers are telling us marks another milestone in that journey.”

Early next year, owners located in the U.S. will be mailed a USB flash drive with the software upgrade for installation that they can do at their own convenience. If they prefer, owners may also visit their local Ford or Lincoln dealer for the software installation. The upgrade mailing will include instructions informing owners how to simply plug the USB flash drive into the MyFord Touch Media Hub’s USB port in order for installation to automatically begin.

New look
The visual enhancements to MyFord Touch are based on simplifying the graphics with larger, bolder fonts, removing low-priority visual content, and designing screens based on a consistent pattern. More than 1,000 screens in total have been updated with the improved look.

“Our goal when designing the upgrade was to simplify the screens and give customers a fast and easy way to get information at any given moment,” said Jennifer Brace, User Interface Design engineer for Ford. “That meant removing buttons, relocating high-use controls closer to the driver’s reach, simplifying tasks and improving font size.”

The new fonts are as much as 40 percent larger on some redesigned screens. The fonts also are wider and bolder to provide easier legibility, particularly among the rapidly increasing number of drivers age 60 and older.

New features
Ford also took the opportunity to update the performance of the system and add new features for customers to help them keep pace with the fast-moving consumer electronics market.

Faster touch-screen response time, for example, was a key request from owners. Initial testing shows that touch and voice response is at least two times faster than the current system. 

Also, the software upgrade includes the following enhancements: 

• Improved voice recognition experience powered by Nuance
  • Quicker voice recognition upon startup and faster command prompt when the voice button is pushed
  • Voice commands used in conjunction with navigation are simplified through elimination of the need to provide street direction, e.g., “Main Street” instead of “North Main Street”
  • Music requests are simpler by removing the need to include the additional song, album or artist information often found at the end of a name in parenthesis or brackets
  • Customers can find their favorite sports team in action via new Sirius Game Finder simply by saying a command such as “Tune to Detroit Lions game” 

• Tablet device compatibility
  • Music and other media content from most popular tablet computers like the Apple iPad can now be accessed through a simple USB connection
• Audible.com audiobook support
  • Listen to Audible.com content using voice commands or the easy-to-use touch-screen controls 

• Connected navigation powered by TeleNav features new map data by NAVTEQ
  • Updated map views are richer and feature more 3D landmarks
  • Views of freeway junctions and signs are enhanced through photorealistic screen images
  • Smart routing options are provided based on a database of historical traffic patterns 

• Phone compatibility
  • Automatic Bluetooth^® connection upon vehicle entry has been improved
  • Noise and echo cancellation during phone calls has been improved to enhance call quality 

• Gracenote^® album cover art database
  • Inclusion of the latest music metadata available enhancing the music playback experience
  • Improved voice recognition for music search allowing drivers to pinpoint artists with hard-to-pronounce names or nicknames
    
    

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J.D. Power: Ford’s Quality Vehicles Earn High APEAL Rankings from Customers for Fuel Efficiency

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• All of Ford’s newer retail vehicles earned fuel efficiency ratings above their segment average, according to the J.D. Power 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study
• Eight Ford vehicles, including Fiesta, Explorer and F-150, ranked in the top three in their respective segments
• Ford F-150 is the only large pickupto receive an award for both Initial Quality and APEAL in 2011

DEARBORN, Mich., July 27, 2011 – Customers increasingly are demanding top fuel efficiency, and they are rating Ford highly for delivering, according to the J.D. Power 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study released today.
All of Ford’s newer retail vehicles earned fuel efficiency ratings above their segment averages, according to the J.D. Power 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout study.
“Ford is an industry leader in fuel efficiency, and customers are pleased with the way we are helping them at the pump,” said Bennie Fowler, group vice president, Global Quality and New Model Launches. “Ford also is absolutely committed to the highest vehicle quality, delivering vehicles that surprise and delight customers while eliminating defects.”
The new Ford Fiesta and F-150 were first-place segment winners in the survey, which measures customer satisfaction in design, content and vehicle performance. The 2011 Ford Taurus and Flex were rated second in their segments. The new Ford Explorer, F-Series Super Duty, Expedition and Mustang scored third-place segment rankings.
Ford vehicles excelled in many areas of the study, particularly fuel efficiency. Specifically:

• All of Ford’s newer retail vehicles earned fuel efficiency ratings above their segment averages

• Fiesta performs particularly well in the area of fuel efficiency in the subcompact car segment

• New F-150 outperforms industry average for fuel efficiency

APEAL surveys customers on what they like about the performance, execution and layout of their new vehicle after the first three months in service.
Customers rate their level of “gratification” on a variety of vehicle attributes, including safety, fuel efficiency, cargo space, roominess and exterior styling.
“Customers are falling in love with Ford vehicles at first sight and growing even fonder of them over time,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “Customers increasingly are saying our fuel efficiency leadership is a reason to buy a Ford vehicle.”
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Ford Motor Company today has 12 vehicles that lead their sales segments in fuel efficiency – including four vehicles with EPA-certified 40 mpg or higher ratings – a claim no other full-line automaker can match.
The company also is introducing five new electrified vehicles in North America by the end of next year.
Smart technology

The study also ranked customers’ happiness with smart new technologies and features, including MyFord Touch™, multicontour massaging seats, changeable ambient interior lighting and refined sound quality.
“MyFord Touch is helping to define the future of automotive interiors, and Explorer and Edge customers rank this new technology very highly,” said Kuzak. “Customers also told us where they have questions, and we have been improving the ownership experience with software upgrades, dealer training and even more support to address their concerns.”

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Ford Trials Complimentary Live Operator Assistance for SYNC Services; Free Business Search and Address Entry Support

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• Ford is beta testing an Operator Assist feature for the cloud-based network of SYNC^® Services, giving all registered Services users complimentary access to a live operator for help with business searches and address entry for turn-by-turn directions
• About 70 percent of calls to SYNC Services are for business searches and/or directions
• SYNC Services provides access to more than 14 million business listings

Ford SYNC

DEARBORN, Mich., June 11, 2011 – Getting directions or finding a business using SYNC^® Services has become even easier thanks to a new feature called Operator Assist that allows users to instantly connect with a live person.

Operator Assist is only a voice command away, making it part of the growing list of cloud-based driver aids offered by Ford Motor Company. The new feature provides customers with the ability to safely connect with a live person who can quickly access information databases to help drivers get where they’re going.

Operator Assist is currently in a beta test trial phase and being offered as a complimentary feature for registered users of SYNC Services. No additional software or hardware is needed.

“Ford is committed to continuously improving the ownership experience and delivering the level of connectivity that customers want,” said Doug VanDagens, director, Ford Connected Services Solutions Organization. “By leveraging what’s available in the cloud, we continue to innovate and improve our customers’ experience without having to touch the vehicle or inconvenience the owner.”

How it works

Cloud-based, on-demand, voice-activated SYNC Services provides access to information about traffic, news, sports, weather, horoscopes, stock quotes, and movie listings along with business searches and turn-by-turn directions.

Operator Assist is available for the directions and business search functions of SYNC Services. Seventy percent of all SYNC Services calls are for business search and directions, said David Gersabeck, product manager, SYNC Services.

Using advanced vehicle sensors, integrated GPS technology and comprehensive map and traffic data, the SYNC Services automated system delivers turn-by-turn directions to the user. Further, with access to more than 14 million business listings, SYNC Services’ automated system directs users to the businesses they seek.

Now, with Operator Assist, at any time during a business search or directions interaction between the user and the SYNC Services automated system, the user can say, “Operator,” confirm his or her request to speak with an operator, and connect to a live operator. This system gives Ford customers the choice of interfacing with a live operator or utilizing the interactive voice recognition system.

“Our customers asked for additional assistance in situations where their voice request was not understood,” said Gersabeck. “If you want the most reliable user experience, enabling alternative methods for customers to access information will increase success, which is where Operator Assist factors into the equation.”

In the event a user says an address or business that the automated system can’t identify, the user will be prompted with the option to connect to a live operator. If the user confirms he or she would like to speak with an operator for further assistance, the system automatically connects the user to the live operator.

When a live operator assists with a business search, the user can choose to receive turn-by-turn directions to the business, receive a text message with name, address and phone number information about the business (applies to certain phone carrier networks), or be directly connected to the phone number of the business.

When a live operator assists with address entry, the user can have the directions sent directly to the vehicle.

“We want Ford SYNC Services customers to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing they can get where they’re going or want to go,” said Gersabeck. “Being able to connect with a live person at any time contributes to that peace of mind.”

The live operator services are provided by MyAssist, a leading live assistance and telematics service company for individuals and businesses based in Stevens Point, Wis.

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