Thursday, May 27, 2010

Ford SYNC Update

Check out this latest article,

DEARBORN, Mich., May 27, 2010 – Horoscopes, stock quotes, movie listings and access to airlines, rental cars and hotels are now just a voice command away for customers driving Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with the SYNC® app Traffic, Directions & Information (TDI).


And customers did not have to inquire, purchase or upgrade anything to get this whole new set of services. All that is needed is an active owner account on www.syncmyride.com. “SYNC is helping us move at a faster pace and deliver the level of connectivity and access that consumers want,” said Doug VanDagens, director, Ford Connected Services Organization. “Now, by leveraging the cloud, we continue to give our customers access to more and more services without having to touch the vehicle or inconvenience the owner with more subscription fees.” Ford expanded SYNC TDI services to include stock quotes, entertainment, travel and movie categories, in addition to the already available traffic, directions, news and business search capabilities. The new services are provided by Microsoft Tellme, one of the many partners in Ford’s cloud-based Service Delivery Network, which gives SYNC users the ability to use a simple Bluetooth-enabled cell phone to connect and voice request the information they want while in the car.


More features, no extra costOwners of SYNC-equipped 2010 and 2011 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products will have immediate access to the enhanced TDI services.
“Current TDI users will hear a special announcement through SYNC the first time they call in, announcing stocks, movies, horoscopes and travel, and informing them that they have more choices,” adds VanDagens.


When users say the “services” voice command, they can ask for “stocks,” horoscopes,” “movies” or “travel,” and follow the prompts. They can also create personalized lists of stocks and horoscopes to follow by visiting their account on www.syncmyride.com, clicking on the “Manage favorites” tab and adding their top picks.


In total, the new SYNC TDI categories offer the following options:
Stocks• Say a company name and receive real-time stock quotes• Request other specifics such as the high/low of the day, of a 52-week period, share volume, market cap and price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio


Horoscopes• Speak an astrological sign to hear the daily horoscope• Hear list of astrological signs


Movies• Search for movie theaters near customer’s current location or provided city• Receive lists of new releases• Say a movie name and receive rating information, theater names where movies are playing• Request movie times at a location for today, tomorrow or the next day


Travel• Request to be directly connected to 150 airlines, the 50 largest hotel chains and the 11 largest rental car agencies – all in the U.S.

Visit Hillcrest Ford and try out the new Ford SYNC!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Ford Leads Resale-Value Bloomberg Businessweek Reports


A recent online article in the Bloomberg Business reported that Ford now leads the industry in resale value in its cars. Ford Motor Co. car resale values have raised an average of $2,420, the most of any automaker, research firm Automotive Lease Guide said.

“The perception is starting to catch up with reality,” Jim Farley, Ford’s global marketing chief, told reporters on the call. “Resale value is the ultimate proof point.”

The article also states that Ford has gained sales and market share in its home market with many redesigned models such as the Ford Fusion which has seen its resale value go higher than that of Toyota Motor Corp.’s Camry.

Visit Hillcrest Ford today and Swap Your Ride and see for yourself why Ford leads the industry in resale value!