14 DAY TRIAL // You know, one can't help to simply love some of the deals made between some of the top companies in the automotive and consumer electronics segments, drivers being the ones who benefit most from these cross-market collaborations.
And the latest deal of this type we've learned about has just been inked between Sony and Ford, the result being the fact that the next-generation Ford Focus will be the first global premium small car to feature a branded and designed audio system from Sony.
In fact, the Focus will be the first car in its class to offer HD Radio digital broadcasts and iTunes Tagging capability through the segment-exclusive 355-watt audio system.
The audio system from Sony in Focus has a signature piano-black interface design with the iconic Sony center controller, mimicking the appearance of popular home audio equipment from Sony, as well as a class-D digital amplifier that was developed specifically for the Ford Focus system.
Durable polypropylene main speakers combine with soft dome tweeters and a subwoofer, all driven by a nine-channel amp, these components yielding 355 watts of continuous power, resulting in a maximum of 111 decibels bass sound pressure level.
Coupled with available Ford SYNC and MyFord Touch driver connect technology, the Focus will provide a segment-leading 8-inch touch screen for control over media along with the convenience of voice commands and steering wheel controls.
Recorded content can be accessed from a variety of sources, including MP3, CD, USB and Bluetooth streaming audio.
With HD Radio also comes segment-first iTunes Tagging, a simple push of the "TAG" button on the MyFord touch screen display prompting the system to store song information, so when customers connect their iPod to the SYNC system, the tagged song information will transfer to that iPod.
Then the iPod is then synced to iTunes, a playlist of tagged songs will appear and customers can preview, and if desired, purchase and download tagged songs from the iTunes Store.
Sony is an important partner in our drive to deliver cars that consumers view as a second home on wheels," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president of Global Product Development.
"With the new Focus featuring the first global application of the designed and engineered audio system from Sony, we're adding another highly recognized and trusted brand inside the car," concluded Mr. Kuzak.