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SYNC to offer iTunes tagging through HD radio

 
Here's another first for Ford after the revelation of its motion-capturing software: The Blue Oval will be the first to offer iTunes tagging through iPods on SYNC-equipped vehicles. Right behind the announcement of mobile Internet connectivity being added to SYNC, this will go along with the package of mobile apps the carmaker will reveal at CES next month.

The way it works: if you you have SYNC with HD radio, when you hear a song you like on an HD station you can press the 'Tag' button, and the system will note the track. When you plug your iPod in, it will suck up all of those tracks in a 'Tagged' playlist. You can have another listen through them and then buy the ones you want from iTunes.

There are other makes of vehicles that will let you record songs directly onto the car's hard drive for a fixed amount of time, but you can't really do anything with the recording after that. Ford's setup won't get you that immediate satisfaction, but it will save you a few steps. You can read the press release on the new – and free – feature (provided you've paid for SYNC and the HD-equipped head unit).

Official Ford Press Release 

FORD RACING UNVEILS THE NEXT GENERATION OF RACING MUSTANG IN THE NEW BOSS 302R

 
Ford is selling a new Boss 302R race car. In case you haven't been paying attention, Ford's previous generation FR500C racer has been racking up victory after victory. Besides winning a race two days after the first FR500C was sold, the FR500C then went on to win three Triple Crown championships in Koni competition as well as back-to-back driver's championships in FIA GT4 (featuring Corvettes, Caymans, Aston Martin V8s, etc). And the Boss 302R is better.

Featuring a racing version of the new 5.0 32-valve Ti-VCT V8, a six-speed manual transmission, roll cage, race seats, five-point belts, data-acquisition equipment, racing shocks and springs as well as Brembo brakes and special tires. Wondering how much? $79,000. There's also a $129,000 Boss M-FR302R1 that's eligible to race in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge series. It comes complete with a sealed, high-output motor, better cooling, close-ratio transmission, a seam-welded body, Koni dampers, upgraded ABS system, tuned exhaust and a special one-piece drive shaft.

Ford's only building fifty Boss 302Rs next year and they should be available in the third quarter.

Official Ford Press Release

FORD USES HOLLYWOOD MOTION-CAPTURE SOFTWARE BEHIND ‘AVATAR’ TO IMPROVE VEHICLE DESIGNS

 
Wishing to sharpen up the eternally imprecise data collected by using with real, live human beings, Ford is apparently the first automaker to use motion-capture software to assist with its vehicle design. The technology, already used to great effect in video games and the film industry, allows Ford engineers to examine how people really move around in their vehicles and, hopefully, design more ergonomic solutions as a result.

In jargon-ese, Ford's system is called the Human Occupant Package Simulator (HOPS). In real life, it means a "human test subject" hooked up to fifty sensors and doing the things he or she would do in a car, "such as swinging a leg outside of the vehicle or reaching for the seat belt." If you've ever seen a video of how EA Sports makes games like Madden or NBA live, you're intimately familiar with the general process.

Combined with Ford's Cave Automated Virtual Environment (CAVE) and Programmable Vehicle Model (PVM), HOPS allows the automaker make a much better vehicle with pixels before it ever has to render it in steel.

Full Ford Press Release

Ford gets students to develop phone apps for Sync

 
Before we get into the nitty and/or gritty of what Ford is up to with their pending Sync app store, we should share with you a few facts FoMoCo shared with us. In 2010 fully 28 percent of the driving population will be between the ages of 16 and 31. These folks, known as Millenials (though us altecachers still prefer "Generation Y") love their smart phones and social networks the way the Baby Boomers loved the Beatles and Generation X loved moping around and bad tribal tattoos.

As such, the number one access point to the internet is no longer a computer -- it's a mobile device.

Now we turn to Ford's Sync, a piece of software developed with Microsoft's help using the Seattle software giant's Microsoft Auto platform. While on the surface Sync has often appeared as little more than a fancy way to spin songs off your iPod, in reality it's a sophisticated piece of middleware that allows the vehicle to harness the power of a given mobile device. In other words, Sync allows whatever Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicle you're driving to act as a controller for your iPhone/Droid/Pre/whatever.

Handsfree access to your favorite songs and phone numbers is one thing, but what about all those fancy-pants apps you've spent so much time (and maybe money) downloading? Are they to be totally forgotten while you're in the car? Admittedly, you might be saying "of course," but Millenials think different. Besides, what if there were smart phone apps that actually enhanced the driving experience? With your hands on the wheels and eyes on the road, how would you access them? Here's a larger point, how does the internet work at 70 mph? Ford thinks it's got the answers to most if not all of these questions.

Ford aims to allow drivers to control their phones through their car's HMI. If you don't know, HMI stands for "human machine interface" and when you're talking Ford Sync that means voice control, steering wheel buttons as well as touch screen controls on cars so equipped -- an award winning combination, by the way. And while Facebook probably isn't the best thing to be concentrating on while driving, what if an app existed that allowed you to update your Facebook status with your location during a road trip? Or what if you wanted your phone to read someone's Twitter feed? It's totally doable, and using Sync you'll never have to touch your phone, let alone look away from the road.

The key is to get developers on board. As such, Ford must learn a couple of new tricks that are very un-OEM. To be successful in the software biz, a company must be able to "think fast, fail fast and recover fast," all skills that automakers simply don't have. So Ford has to reach out to people eager to develop apps for cars, and make the process fun for the developers. Long approval periods and heavy layers of corporate interference will just turn would-be Sync app writers off.

Sync was engineered with an open API, meaning that apps can be written for whatever phone you happen to own, be it Windows-based, Apple, Google, Palm or other. In fact, Ford wants to develop a community of Sync app developers who will develop a Sync marketplace. To prove its concept Ford worked with six computer science students from the University of Michigan to build two mobile phone-based Sync apps.

The students looked at 120 apps for the iPhone (they picked the iPhone not because of any preference other than ubiquity) and chose to build apps that focused on two key Millenial concerns: social networking and entertainment. As Ford explained, the trick is to make useful apps that can productively and safely be used at highway speeds. In case you're wondering, Ford's Sync app store will not be totally open like the Android Market. Rather, the Ford store will be moderated like Apple's. Meaning that Ford won't allow an app in their store that, say, uses your phone's built in accelerometer to record your Mustang GT's quarter-mile time and log it into a web-based database. We know because we asked. However, a location based database would probably fly, as long as you're on a race track.

The first app we saw demo'd was a social networking app called Follow Me. We've all been in the situation where we're following someone and they run a yellow light, leaving you stuck at a red and basically lost. Well, what if there was a way to turn two phones into a "leader" and a "follower," with the follower phone announcing turn-by-turn directions over the car's audio system? Well, that's exactly what Follow Me does. Let's say the leader phone is already at a party (college student speak for "house"). The driver of the follower car simply launches the Follow Me app, and is given directions to the leader phone's location. Nifty, no?

Here's the idea behind the next student written Sync app: you've got about 100 terrestrial radio stations, most of which are filled with garbage. Then you have approximately 250 satellite radio stations, which are better than regular radio but cost money and still offer relatively limited choices. Now, when it comes to internet radio, your choices are essentially limitless. Trouble is, your car doesn't get the internet. And even if your car is in fact a WiFi hotspot, how do you get the internet into your radio, let alone (safely) switch stations? Meet SyncCast, an app that let's you play whatever station you want via your phone. You can even use familiar Sync commands, such as "Play station Pandora."

We saw demos of each student built app and they appeared to work. Interestingly, the students had just three months to complete the projects. According to them, working with the Sync toolkit was easy. The hard part was learning the Apple-specific toolkit for the iPhone's API. According to Ford, these students are just the beginning of what will prove to be a large, healthy developer community and app store.

The idea is pretty smart. As phones get better and better and smarter and smarter, why not allow a vehicle to leverage that power in a positive way? For instance, the dang kids love texting. But texting plus driving is insanely dangerous as it is two eyes and two hands off the wheel. Sync has had canned texting messages (eg "Where R U?") pre-loaded since it came out and can also read incoming messages out loud. But why not an app that lets a driver text using his or her voice? After all, have you seen how sophisticated the Droid's speech recognition software is? All you'd have to do is get someone to build the app. Think of the Sync API then as Ford's electronic field of dreams.

Ford adding mobile WiFi internet compatibility to USB ports

The SYNC system offered by Ford in most of its models just got a lot more interesting. In addition to giving vehicle owners super simple connectivity with virtually any phone or music player and the best voice recognition in the biz, the next generation of SYNC will add mobile internet compatibility to its USB ports. What does this mean? It means that if you've got one of those fancy 3G modems for your laptop, you can plug it into the USB port of your SYNC-equipped Ford and voilà! Your entire vehicle is a WiFi hotspot. Imagine the effect of adding easy in-car WiFi to a family of five's cross-country trip in a Ford Flex and you get the idea.

In-car WiFi has been around for a couple of years already, but all instances have required extra dealer-installed hardware (a receiver and router, specifically) and an additional monthly fee. General Motors announced just last week that it's adding optional in-car WiFi to seven Chevy models, but like most systems, you'll have to pay $500 up front ($199 after mail-in rebate through December 31st) for the hardware and $29/month for the service. With a simple software upgrade of SYNC next year, Ford customers will be able to use the 3G modem they may already have and get the same effect, without having to pay extra for new equipment and, most importantly, another monthly fee for internet. It's also an easy way for Ford to get WiFi in the car for SYNC's upcoming mobile apps.

SYNC was already a big reason for infotainment-obsessed car shoppers to consider a Ford, but at least when it comes to browsing the internet in your car, SYNC 2.0 with in-car WiFi just leap frogged the entire auto industry. Not only is the technology impressive, but this new feature actually saves the customer money rather than asking for more.

Official Ford Press Release
 

Ford claims biggest five-year fuel economy improvement among major automakers

 
According to the latest report from the Environmental Protection Agency, Ford has scored the biggest improvement in combined fuel economy of any major carmaker over the last five years. Between 2005 and 2009, Ford improved its fleet average by nearly 20 percent – almost twice as much as any other company. While Ford certainly made a lot of incremental improvements in the efficiency of its vehicles over that period, that wasn't the only factor.

That same time period saw a huge shift in the model mix at Ford. Sales of SUVs like the Explorer and Expedition collapsed as consumers moved to crossovers like the Edge and Flex. The Explorer has gone from more than 400,000 annual sales earlier this decade to just over 68,000 last year.

Ford has made actual improvements, as well, however, including the introduction of the Escape Hybrid and the roll out of six-speed transmissions. The next five years should see even bigger gains as Ford deploys millions of EcoBoost engines, battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Ford's official press release. 

FORD LEADS THE INDUSTRY ON FUEL ECONOMY IMPROVEMENT, DRIVEN BY POWERTRAIN ADVANCEMENTS

Ford Motor Company records the largest increase in fuel economy gains and CO₂ emission reductions over the past five years, according to Environmental Protection Agency

Incremental engineering solutions – ranging from aerodynamic enhancements and weight reduction to energy management and mechanical improvements – have significantly contributed to Ford’s fuel economy gains

EcoBoost, the cornerstone of Ford’s sustainability strategy, debuted in 2009 with a strong take rate; 2010 marks introduction of four-cylinder EcoBoost

Ford to deliver 30 new powertrains over next two years to increase fuel efficiency

Ford brings battery system design and development in house as part of core competency to meet aggressive electrification strategy; on target to deliver new electrified products to market

Click here to read full article

550 KTSA's Wrappin' with Jack at Northside Ford

On behalf of everyone here at Northside Ford, we would like to thank all those who volunteered last night here at Northside Ford for Wrappin' with Jack.  The event was a huge success with over 500 people filling our showroom to wrap Christmas presents so that we can help make someone else's Christmas a little better.

Again thank you to all of those who helped out.  Here are a few pics from the event last night.

Ford looking to invest up to $500 million in Michigan hybrid, EV plants

 
After GM's announcement this week that it would invest $336 million in its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant to build the Volt, there are noises from Ford about a similar investment. Automotive News is reporting that the Blue Oval is weighing putting $300 to $500 million into hybrid and electric vehicle plants in Michigan – if they can get the tax credits from the state. Ford is asking for $85 million in credits between 2012 and 2014 and another $35 million after 2014.

If the plants get the public money injection, Ford would have a place to assemble li-ion battery packs and consolidate production of hybrid vehicles Ford's director of global electric strategy, Nancy Gioia, told AN. Currently, the battery packs for Ford's top-selling Fusion (and Mercury Milan) hybrids are put together by Delphi Holdings in Mexico.

Michigan has, in the last year, approved over $550 million for advanced battery manufacturers who build plants in the state. Ford says 1,000 jobs would be created in the state (and lost elsewhere?) if the hybrid and plug-in plants relocate here.

[Source: Automotive News (subs req'd)]

Ford Tops in J.D. Power Sat-Nav Study

 
Not only does Ford rank number one on J.D. Power and Associate's 2009 navigation system survey, it ranks number two as well. The top ranking system, according to Power's study, is the one found in the Lincoln MKS, followed by a nearly identical system (if not 100% identical) in the Ford Flex. And get this, Ford took down five of the top ten spots with the F-150 coming in fourth and the Escape and Edge taking seventh and eighth place, respectively.

To anyone that's driven a modern Sync-equipped Ford with navigation, these survey results probably won't come as any sort of shock, as FoMoCo has been making some of the best systems in the business ever since they released Sync with Sirius Travel Link.

Ford is the only non-luxury/premium brand to make it into the top ten.

 Read Full Article Here

FORD F-150 SVT RAPTOR WINS 4x4 OF THE YEAR AWARD

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FORD TAURUS NAMED INTERNATIONAL CAR OF THE YEAR AT LA AUTO SHOW

 
While magazine award ceremonies appear to be just about finished, the auto show trophies are just starting to be handed out. This time, it's the International Car of the Year at the LA Auto Show, and the Ford empire has another winner. The Ford Taurus took top car honors. The 2010 Taurus been well received by the press and early returns from customers appear to be positive, too. The Taurus is outselling its predecessor, attracting interest, and new buyers, at a level that has been exceeding all expectations.

ICOTY creator and executive producer Courtney Caldwell claims that the winners aren't chosen based on performance, but instead on how the vehicles "reflect our personalities, lifestyles and self-image and how well the automaker achieves that goal through the design and marketing of the vehicle." And while the ICoTY award isn't exactly one of the big-name trophies for the mantle, a win is a win, and both Ford and Volvo are proud recipients of the accolades. Stop by and see the new 2010 Taurus lineup at Northside Ford in San Antonio.

Ford Press Release 

Ford accepting applications for Fiesta Movement 2

Ford finally unveiled the U.S. version of its B-Segment Fiesta yesterday at the LA Auto Show, and thanks to some clever marketing, the Blue Oval's newest small car is already well-known to prospective buyers. Ford's ingenious "Fiesta Movement" marketing initiative, which put 100 Euro-spec subcompacts in the hands of socially advanced "agents," resulted in over six million YouTube views, 740,000 Flickr views and 3.7 million Twitter impressions. All that traffic has apparently resulted in a 60-percent vehicle recognition score in Ford's survey findings – a number that would be good for a vehicle that has already been on the market a few years.

The first Fiesta Movement was created to get the Fiesta in front of the car-buying public while engaging in customer-driven dialog. Connie Fontaine, Ford brand content and alliances manager, says that wave two will focus on "driving unparalleled consideration." In other words, Ford wants customers to be excited to buy a new Fiesta. Given the fact that Ford generated 80,000 "hand-raisers" with Fiesta Movement number one, another group of Fiesta agents probably isn't a bad idea.
 

Click to read complete article

2010 FORD FUSION HYBRID WINS MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY PROGRESSIVE CAR OF THE YEAR

 
The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid today was named Most Environmentally Progressive Car of the Year by Earth, Wind & Power™ (EWP) at the Los Angeles Auto Show. 

The award is designed to recognize vehicles driven by a power source that helps to reduce global warming, are conducive to promoting a cleaner environment, and support the mission to achieve energy through alternative sources. 

“Ford’s Fusion Hybrid sedan has the styling punch of a powerhouse with authority built into the design,” said Kevin Smith, editorial director of Edmunds.com and one of 19 national automotive editors and journalists who selected the winner of the EWP award. “With unsurpassed fuel economy, this car has real ecological know-how. We call it purity on wheels.”

Read full article

2010 FR500CJ Mustang "Cobra Jet"

 
  
This isn't any old Stang. It's a 2010 FR500CJ - that's CJ for ‘Cobra Jet' - made by Ford Racing and designed to go straight from showroom to dragstrip. Cobra Jets have been launching themselves down quarter-mile strips since the late 60s, and this latest car will have about 425hp and cost around $75,000.

Ford Racing built 50 cars to meet NHRA's minimum car-count standards. Ford delivers the Cobra Jet cars with a glaring 425 horsepower, a rating far under the combination's potential thanks to Ford Racing electronically controlling output so that it fits in the rules. The engine is a GT500 powerplant with a TVS blower, larger throttle body and MAF sensor, and long-tube headers amongst some other minor details. The 425 horse rating is far less than what that engine could produce.

 

 

2011 Ford Fiesta Revealed to America

The 2011 Ford Fiesta for America has finally been revealed at the LA Auto Show.  The 2011 Fiesta will come as a four door sedan or a five door hatchback and will target best-in-class fuel economy of 40 mpg with its 1.6 liter DOHC I-4 engine.

Recognized globally for its versatility, personality and adaptability, the new Fiesta is expected to provide best-in-class safety, convenience and connectivity with segment-exclusive SYNC® voice- activated communications system, a broad and vibrant color choice and a range of available graphics for personal customization.

You can read Ford's official press release with more detailed information on the new Fiesta here.

San Antonio's Number One Ford Dealer

Northside Ford was the number one Ford dealer in the greater San Antonio area for the month of November in 2009, and this makes nine out of the eleven months for the year.

We would like to thank all of our loyal customers for your continued show of support and satisfaction with our dealership, staff, and the Ford product.