14 DAY TRIAL // At the end of May 2009, in an organized press event, Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer was presented with a Ford Fusion Hybrid by none other than Ford Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally. It was a very special Ford Fusion Hybrid, namely the 1 millionth car ever produced containing Ford SYNC, an in-car communications and entertainment system. Approximately one year later, Ford reveals that it has now installed Ford SYNC on over two million cars, reporting that the vast majority of customers immediately take the infotainment system at heart.
"Microsoft and Ford share a common vision when it comes to connecting drivers and passengers to their digital lifestyles," Kevin Dallas, general manager of Microsoft's Windows Embedded Business, noted. "The beauty of building on the Windows Embedded Automotive software platform is that its flexibility has enabled Ford to create new, engaging in-vehicle experiences over the past three years for their consumers to enjoy behind the wheel. We're excited to see what new roads SYNC explores in the future."
Ford SYNC allows drivers to perform a variety of tasks such as making phone calls and selecting music through the voice-controlled interface. More than two million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles sport Ford SYNC, which is built with the Microsoft Windows Embedded Automotive software platform at the core. According to the car maker, no less than 70% of customers indicate that SYNC is key to convincing them to purchase a Ford after watching a demo of the infotainment system.
"The success of SYNC proves that customers want to be connected," Ken Czubay, Ford vice president of U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service, added. "The speed with which we've hit the 2 million mark, the premium SYNC adds at auction, and the improvements in purchase consideration show that it is a true differentiator for us, adding real value for the customer.”