Ford bringing SYNC systems to base trim levels, drops from $395 to $295

Jul 31st 2011
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Ford bringing SYNC systems to base trim levels, drops from 5 to 5

Ford’s been pushing SYNC in its autos since 2007, but you would not have known it had you opted for the bottom trim level for your ride. Thankfully in case you appreciate the fundamentals, that’s a-changing. The automaker is aiming to entice more potential owners by offering the voice-activated infotainment systems across all levels for $295 (down from $395, where optional), starting with its 2012 Edge and Explorer models. To sweeten the deal even further, it’ll also become standard on SEL variants for the primary time — before, it was a luxury previously reserved for Limited and Sport. Ford plans to roll out the system across its entire lineup in three years time, bringing the 2013 Ford Taurus, Focus, Escape and Flex into the fold. You understand, options for all of you who aren’t hip at the all-American, gas-guzzling SUV . Full PR past the break.

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Ford Drops Price of SYNC by $100, Making Hands-Free, Voice-Activated In-Car Connectivity More cost-effective, Available to All

Ford initiates new pricing strategy for SYNC®, making the hands-free, voice-activated connectivity system more cost-effective for purchasers; dropping option price to $295 makes SYNC essentially the most capable and most affordable system at the market

Launching first at the 2012 Ford Explorer and Edge, SYNC will now be available as optional equipment on base trim levels, marking broader availability and more choice for customers

Making hands-free technology cheaper and available comes at the heels of Ford becoming the 1st automaker to announce its support for a nationwide ban at the use of hand-held mobile devices while driving

DEARBORN, Mich., August 1, 2011 – Ford is making hands-free, voice-controlled in-car connectivity much more affordable, announcing both a $100 price drop for Ford SYNC® in conjunction with expanded availability by offering it as an option on base trim levels for the 1st time.

“Ford SYNC is creating a difference. Our customers like it and recommend it, and our dealers want it on more products,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice chairman, U.S. Marketing, Sales and repair. “SYNC already has brought hands-free, voice-activated in-car connectivity to millions, helping keep drivers’ eyes at the road and hands at the wheel. Now, Ford is making it even easier for purchasers to afford exactly what they wish.”

The move marks the company’s latest push to make voice control the principle and safest way for patrons to access their favorite mobile devices while driving – an ability an increasing number of drivers are clamoring for, consistent with the patron Electronics Association (CEA).

In a 2010 study, the CEA found that 55 percent of smartphone owners, as an example, prefer voice commands as their primary in-car user interface. SYNC users agree, with internal Ford research showing greater than 85 percent say they use voice controls while driving, up from 60 percent in previous studies.

This month, Ford became the primary automaker to openly support the Safe Drivers Act of 2011, proposed federal legislation for a nationwide ban at the use of hand-held mobile devices while driving. To this point, 10 states, including California and Ny, have legally banned talking on a hand-held cellphone while driving, with many local municipalities also following suit enacting their very own set of restrictions. Text messaging while driving is banned in 34 states.

The hot SYNC pricing and selection strategy for 2012 ups the ante on how Ford is translating this trend into real-world actions that supply smarter in-vehicle connectivity solutions for purchasers.

“Because the list of states banning hand-held calls and texting while driving continues to grow and legislators ponder a nationwide ban, Ford is strengthening its leadership position because the only full-line automaker with plans to supply available hands-free mobile device connectivity on 100 pc of its passenger vehicle lineup,” said Czubay.

SYNC was installed already on greater than 3 million vehicles since its debut in 2007.

The hot pricing strategy makes SYNC the foremost capable and most affordable in-car connectivity system within the industry. The brand new pricing may be available first at the 2012 Ford Explorer and Edge base models. Customers who choose SYNC can pay only $295 for the award-winning in-car connectivity system, previously priced at $395. As well as, SYNC will now be available on all trim levels, because the availability chart of the 2012 Ford Edge shows:

Ford Edge Trim Level

2011 Model SYNC Availability
SE: Not available
SEL: Optional
Limited: Standard
Sport: Standard

2012 Model SYNC Availability
SE: Optional
SEL: Standard
Limited: Standard
Sport: Standard

With the bottom SYNC package, customers will benefit from the core hands-free features and services which have quickly established SYNC as a must-have technology, with greater than 76 percent of current SYNC users saying they’d recommend the system to other customers. Those features include:

Hands-free, voice-activated calling via a Bluetooth®-connected mobile phone
Hands-free, voice-activated control of a USB-connected digital music player
911 Assist™, the automatic emergency calling service that’s free for the lifetime of the vehicle
Vehicle Health Report, the on-demand diagnostic and upkeep information service

As well as, customers who choose the bottom package could have the choice to buy a SYNC Services subscription, which expands voice-controlled features to incorporate a cloud-based network of services. These include turn-by-turn directions, traffic reports, and business search information with available live operator assistance if needed. A SYNC Services subscription costs only $60 a year, besting the telematics services offered by the contest.

Ford dealers are excited by the chance of having the ability to present SYNC to a bigger population in their customers.

James T. Seavitt, president of Village Ford in Dearborn, Mich., says he wouldn’t be surprised to look those rates soar even higher with the recent SYNC pricing and base model availability. Seavitt admits that approximately 75 percent of the vehicles he currently sells have SYNC.

“Customers frequently ask about SYNC in our dealership as they continue to listen to more concerning the benefits and convenience of hands-free connectivity while driving,” said Seavitt. “This move from Ford can help dealers put more customers in SYNC-equipped vehicles as a way to experience why using their voice to govern their favorite mobile devices within the car is a wiser choice.”
On Edge and Explorer alone, SYNC has already been a large hit at the showroom floor, with current take rates above 80 percent. With the recent pricing strategy, SYNC is now expected to be installed on greater than 95 percent of models sold.

In the course of the next three years, Ford will introduce the recent SYNC pricing and selection strategy around the entire North American Ford vehicle lineup.

Vehicles next in line after the 2012 Ford Explorer and Edge include the 2013 Ford Taurus, Focus, Escape and Flex.

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a world automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The corporate provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For additional info regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

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