Ford announced SYNC with Traffic, Directions and Information last night at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, further expanding its connectivity leadership. The new system delivers personalized news, traffic and information updates to SYNC-equipped vehicles through drivers mobile phones while helping them navigate around trouble spots, saving time and fuel. The new features are free to customers of SYNC-equipped vehicles during the first three years of ownership. SYNC with Traffic, Directions and Information will be available later this year on select 2010 models, and will roll out across the entire Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury lineup by 2011. Doug VanDagens, director of Connected Services, recently spoke with FCN Online about the new expanded SYNC.

Q. How can Ford continue to offer all of these services for free? Doesn't the company lose money?
A. Ford's strategy of allowing customers to use their own devices to link to off-board applications through the Internet is unique in the industry. This is how we can offer such features as 911 Assist, Vehicle Health Report and the newly announced Traffic, Directions and Information at no additional charge to the customer. The strategy also enables us to introduce new applications at a rate unheard of in the auto industry.

Q. How is this system different than what is already being offered by Audi, BMW and Mercedes?
A. No one absolutely no one offers the benefits of Ford SYNC . In fact, no other automaker even comes close to offering the services and features provided by the powerful SYNC platform. Again, the key is allowing customer devices to access off-board applications through the Internet. Our announcement of SYNC with Traffic, Directions and Information at CES is proof of that undisputed leadership.

Q. Does Ford have plans to expand SYNC to other regions of the world?
A. SYNC will begin rolling out globally in the 2010 calendar year in Europe. Seven Western European and three Eastern European languages will be offered. The roll out will continue to Asia Pacific and other regions, including Australia.

Q. What impact is SYNC having on sales?
A. SYNC-equipped Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles sell nearly twice as fast as those without. In addition, a Ford survey of SYNC customers showed nearly 80 percent of respondents definitely would recommend it to a friend.

Q. Why is it so important to make our vehicle connectivity product announcements at CES?
A. CES is the pre-eminent conference for consumer electronics companies. As we think more like a consumer electronics company, we feel it is important to participate in events with our industry partners, like SONY, Microsoft and SIRIUS. There isn't a better forum to announce expanding capabilities to connect to an interface with mobile electronic devices and services than CES.

Secondly, as Ford unveils its new 2010 model-year vehicles, like the Ford Mustang, Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ all of which will all be able to access these expanded services when they become available later this year the timing is perfect to describe the connection between these new vehicles and electronic devices.