Ford & Microsoft Introduce New SYNC Features

[Digital Puppy]

Ford, Microsoft Introduce New SYNC Features at ShowStoppers Press Event

LAS VEGAS --(Business Wire)-- Jan 09, 2009 Ford (F), Microsoft (MSFT) and eight partner companies together introduced the latest new features for SYNC -- the hands-free information and entertainment system for drivers -- during ShowStoppers, the press-only special event during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Ford also previewed the 2010 Fusion Hybrid, which goes on sale this spring, as "America's most fuel efficient mid-size car" with a government mileage rating of 41 miles per gallon in the city and 36 on the highway, which beats the Toyota Camry Hybrid by 8mpg in the city.

The world-first demonstrations by Ford, Microsoft, Airbiquity, Gracenote, INRIX, MACOM, Sirius, TeleNav, Tellme and THX followed the announcement of SYNC at a CES keynote by Alan Mulally, Chief Executive Officer, Ford Motor Company.

The invitation-only event featured company launches, product introductions, sneak previews and hands-on product demos by 90 companies to more than 1,000 top journalists, columnists, selected bloggers, and industry and financial analysts, who cover business, consumer, lifestyle and digital products for work, home and play.

The new version of SYNC expands on a range of services first introduced in the 2008 Ford Focus and demonstrated to the press a year ago during ShowStoppers @ CES 2008.

With industry-leading voice-recognition software, integrated GPS technology and a customer’s Bluetooth mobile phone, SYNC with Traffic, Directions and Information provides simple hands-free access to personalized traffic reports, precise turn-by-turn driving directions, and up-to-date information such as business listings, news, sports and weather. The new services will be available on nearly all 2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models with no monthly subscription fees for the first three years of service, which is included with a new vehicle purchase.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 224,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

About ShowStoppers

Now in its 16th year, ShowStoppers, http://www.showstoppers.com, is the global leader in producing press-only events. Industry leaders, innovators, startups and upstart companies exhibit during the year at ShowStoppers events to help generate news coverage and product reviews, make new connections, promote brand, and open new markets.

The next ShowStoppers events are ShowStoppers @ Mobile World Congress, 15 Feb. 2009, in Barcelona, Spain; and ShowStoppers @ CTIA Wireless, 1 Apr. 2009, in Las Vegas.

ShowStoppers also produces in Berlin, Germany, the official press event of IFA, one of the largest consumer-electronics trade fairs in the world.